LGD: The biggest stage

There are going to be a lot of eyes on Toronto this evening. I’d go as far as saying tonight’s home opener is perhaps the most hyped Leafs game since the team’s brief 2013 playoff appearance. 

Why? Well, there a few reasons. 

For one, the team is going all out to celebrate their centennial, so for fans in the building the night is going to be packed with ceremonies and concerts and all that. The team is actually asking for people to show up an hour-and-a-half before puck drop to take it all in. 

Secondly, this is the first game for the rookie contingent, led by Matthews and Marner, in their own building. And then of course we have Matthews himself, who just set the record for goals scored in an NHL debut, looked like an absolute force against the Sens in Ottawa earlier this week, and now has so much ballyhoo around him that NBCSN in the States had to pick up this game to get in on the party. 

There’s a lot going on.

Make no mistake, even if Matthews doesn’t pot another four goals tonight, the ACC is in for a treat. I was fortunate enough to take in his debut in Ottawa, and it took no time to notice he’s just a presence out there. Stars usually stand out more when you can take the game in up close, and there’s no doubt ‘Papi’ fits that bill. There’s potential for a highlight-reel play nearly every shift, and it’s fun to watch defencemen struggle so much against him one-on-one. He’ll be the focus in his first appearance on Hockey Night.

Nothing has really changed lineup-wise, other than the Matthews line now commonly being listed as the top trio. We’re assuming Griffith sits again tonight from the forward group. Looks like Hunwick slots back in after recovering from being turned to rubble by Chris Neil.

[I’m pretty sure at least ten of those names are made up.]

With Bergeron out, Marchand is far-and-away the Bruins’ best forward, and given he’s already surpassed Matthews in the Art Ross race by putting five on the Jackets, I’m guessing Babcock and the Leafs will look to shut him down with last change in hand. Beyond that, I don’t know what this Boston lineup is supposed to be. This is a very winnable game even for a Toronto team leaning heavily on some raw rookies.

Andersen will go again for the Leafs, and hopefully be able to tighten things up after a poor showing in Ottawa. Rask will get the nod for Boston.

The Leafs absolutely caved in the Senators at five-on-five in the season opener, out-attempting them 81-51 and really taking advantage of Ottawa’s slower d-pairings. I’m curious to see how that carries over to this game, given a Bergeron-less Bruins team obviously takes a hit in the possession game, and that defence corps is dicey as hell. 

Obviously we can’t expect Matthews to completely carry the load again offensively, so hopefully other lines can fire home a goal or two. The Kadri line looked particularly good with their cycle game on Wednesday but I think they could use a better offensive player on that line in place of Michalek, who’s a bit too slow to really contribute. It’ll be interesting to see if Babcock decides to scramble that line with the Bozak trio to get some different looks. Kadri and Marner could do damage, for example.

Lastly, Andersen needs to have a solid outing or the idea that he’s rushing back from that shoulder injury is going to gain more traction. I’m in no way losing confidence in him in the big picture, but it’s fair to say the Leafs win that Ottawa game, which they controlled from the outset, if he’s on. He wasn’t. 

Game goes at 7:00pm EST on Hockey Night in Canada and NBCSN, but as mentioned above, the team is asking those attending to get there at around 5:30 for all the pre-game fun.