LGD: Oh Carolina
By Jon Steitzer
8 years agoThis is less about playing a game of hockey against the Carolina Hurricanes, and more about giving them a chance to scout James Reimer up close and personal to see if he can fit in with the Canes attempted playoff run.
With Cam Ward sidelined with concussion like symptoms, the Canes have gonna from having two struggling goaltenders to one who is playing terrible this season, in Eddie Lack. If there’s a team out there that it makes sense to be all over landing Reimer tomorrow, it’s the Canes, especially with Toronto’s ability to take Cam Ward’s salary off their hands. It’s worth noting that the Canes have a second first round pick this year too (L.A.).
So basically what I’m saying is, hope that Reimer has the game of his life and Lou Lamoriello watches the game while sitting beside Ron Francis tonight.
THE LEAFS
The Leafs won their last game, ending a five game losing streak. The win didn’t move the Leafs from their 29th in the league standing, but a win tonight could, so if you are a fan of tanking, I guess you’re cheering for the Canes.
If you think it’s too early for #tankwatch or just have enough faith that Leafs will lose enough on their own, the story is more about whether the Leafs can still rely on the spread it around approach to goal scoring. Last game saw Roman Polak, Matt Hunwick, and Joffrey Lupul all come out of nowhere for goals. So keep an eye on Froese, Leivo, and Marincin tonight.
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Shawn Matthias |  Nazem Kadri |  Leo Komarov |
 Michael Grabner |  Tyler Bozak |  P.A. Parenteau |
 Joffrey Lupul |  Peter Holland |  Brad Boyes |
 Daniel Winnik |  Byron Froese |  Richard Clune |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Jake Gardiner |  Dion Phaneuf |
 Matt Hunwick |  Morgan Rielly |
 Martin Marincin |  Roman Polak |
THE CANES
Not far removed from being basement dwellers alongside the Leafs, the Canes have been making a push lately, and head into the night three points out of a Wild Card spot. Given the fact that they’ve had terrible goaltending this season, and seemed like they were destined to spend the year selling off their top assets, this is a surprise.
Tonight we’ll get to see some ghosts of Leafs past, as Jay McClement, Kris Versteeg, and John-Michael Liles roll into town. As per tradition, expect points from them, but at the same time be thankful that none of them are Leafs.
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 Kris Versteeg |  Eric Staal |  Elias Lindholm |
 Joakim Nordstrom |  Jordan Staal |  Andrej Nestrasil |
 Jeff Skinner |  Victor Rask |  Phil Di Giuseppe |
 Nathan Gerbe |  Jay McClement |  Riley Nash |
| Defensive Pairings | |
|---|---|
 Ron Hainsey |  Justin Faulk |
 John-Michael Liles |  Jaccob Slavin |
 Noah Hanifin |  Michal Jordan |
STARTING GOALTENDERS
VS.
Reimer even looks like a Staal, tell me he doesn’t belong in Carolina for LA’s first.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- You might want to mute Michal Jordan on twitter, because we’re all going to be tripping over each other trying to make the same “Dunks on the Leafs” jokes.
- Hopefully some carryover from the Staal vs. Phaneuf feud from last season
- Lots of “shouldof drafted Noah Hanifin” takes
- Is it too much to hope for that Sportsnet shows Lamoriello talking to Francis? I need this, even if it isn’t Reimer landing in an ideal situation, the Canes have nice things that I want.
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