LGD: Take It Outside, Boys

Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY SPORTS

Look, I’m really excited for this game. Outdoor games might be losing their league-wide lustre as far as TV ratings go, but they’re a cool draw for the local fanbases and I’ve been waiting for Toronto to host their own forever. Now that I’m not worried about the grass being destroyed (throws bitter side eye at the Argos), it’s a pleasure to be able to step into BMO Field once again, this time to watch some hockey.

With that said, I know how this ends. We don’t even have to play the game. I’ve seen the visions already.

In the past few weeks, goaltenders across the National Hockey league have struggled to keep Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews off the scoresheet.

Detroit Red Wings rookie Jared Coreau – who has never played a meaningful NHL game in his life – stoned Matthews with a spectacular save in 3-on-3 overtime during the Centennial Classic 2017 at BMO Field, keeping the shutout and allowing the Red Wings to earn the extra point after a shootout (5-4).

When James Van Riemsdyk’s high rocket caught the crossbar, it put Andreas Athanasiou at centre ice with a chance to clinch. His backhand-forehand was apt, and crushed the hopes of a Leafs record attendance of 36,045; a fanbase who was chasing the same dream, in just their first home outdoor game after originally taking on Detroit in Ann Arbour in 2014.

An energetic and frenetic, though scoreless, regulation featured the Toronto Maple Leafs pushing forward for odd-man rushes, with Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander leading give-and-go plays for their lines en route to peppering a team record 65 shots at Coreau. Detroit was content to pick their spots on the counter, otherwise prodding laterally without finding enough space to take a single shot on goal.

Toronto created a pair of particularly great chances in the late stages of the game, fittingly from Marner midway through the third period and then Matthews just before the overtime buzzer. Marner’s shot in the 49th minute appeared to beat the Detroit goaltender but found the side of the net. After the Red Wings conceded a giveaway in the first minute of overtime, Matthews’ attempt at a diving mid-air redirection was disrupted by a sprawling Coreau.

Marner was taken off after his first shift in overtime due to an apparent injury. His replacement, Canadian product Connor Brown, fired a near winner in the 61st – a wrister missed inches wide – before saucering a pass toward Matthews, who’s baseball swing hung just long enough for Coreau to get his glove on it at full extension and keep the shutout.

Toronto Maple Leafs lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff

Only five Leafs are expected to play today that played in the 2014 Winter Classic: Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, and Tyler Bozak. Time moves fast, doesn’t it?

Detroit Red Wings lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff

Well, it does for some teams. Half the Red Wings were in that game and the other half are bad.

My crystal ball says Jared Coreau is going to dress for the Red Wings, but we don’t actually know who it’ll be for sure. He’d be the wise pick, though; not that he’s been mindblowing in his first three NHL games (2-1-0, 0.908), but Jimmy Howard is injured and Petr Mrazek has gone from Vezina finalist Andrew Raycroft to Toronto Maple Leafs starter Andrew Raycroft in the past few months. Mrazek could get the nod out of seniority, though; either way, Detroit’s going to be hoping a goalie has a standout night.

Frederik Andersen is in the Leafs’ net again. No question, locked in, duh. He’s the guy and he’s been absolutely unbelievable for the past two months. I’m assuming the Dane has been in his fair share of soccer fields over the years, so this won’t be totally new to him.

Me, running into Section 119, Row 3, seat 1 and 2, regardless of whether somebody actually has those seats or not, screaming “THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE YEAR!”, crying for 30 seconds, cursing Stefan Frei, and going back to my actual seat while remembering that the Leafs are #ActuallyGood, building up a new reserve of optimism to be crushed.

Puck drop is at some time around 3:00 PM. See you then!