LGD: The return of Optimus Reim
6 years ago
It’s game day!
The Toronto Maple Leafs skated away from their Monday night game with a shocking 4-1 final decision against the Arizona Coyotes – in which the ‘Yotes, not the Leafs, came out on top. It snapped a six-game win streak for Toronto, and extended Arizona’s own win streak to three games (which is three more games than they won in the first entire month of the season).
The Leafs can argue that they could have squeaked out a point in the game on the merit of a called-back goal by Auston Matthews in the final minutes.
With plenty of argument to be made that the right call was given in regards to the goaltender interference that overturned the tally, though, the fact remains that Arizona then managed two empty-netters to truly seal Toronto’s fate.
Now, they’ll look to bounce back from that – and they’ll do so against an old friend’s new team.
LEAFS LINES
While the defensive pairings look like they’ll stay the same, the bottom nine have been shuffled around a bit. Patrick Marleau is down to the third line as pivot with JvR and Mitch Marner, which shifted Tyler Bozak down to the fourth line. We also see Nikita Soshnikov draw in with Dominic Moore out, while Connor Brown moves up to the second line with Uncle Leo and Nazem Kadri.
PANTHERS LINES
I’m going to be perfectly honest with you.
I normally watch a handful of games for Florida each year specifically for some Roberto Luongo viewings, but this year I’m covering the Chicago Blackhawks full-time – and between them and my now-walking 14-month old daughter, I haven’t caught much of the Panthers at all.
A few big observations, though: first, the Leafs are incredibly fortunate that Radim Vrbata is out of the lineup, as that draws a fairly significant veteran sniper out of the lineup for the southern opponents. He’s a scratch with an undisclosed injury, but had 11 points in 19 game prior to getting hurt. Jamie McGinn is also struggling for yet another season, although not nearly as much as he did with the Arizona Coyotes last year.
Expect the Panthers to use their strong faceoff skills to their advantage, though. While their offense pales in comparison to Toronto’s through this point in the year, they’re excellent in the faceoff circle.
NOTES
- It’s been confirmed that Roberto Luongo will be in net for Florida instead of Reimer, which is a huge bummer. Optimus Reim certainly didn’t leave Toronto on bad terms, and it’s always fun to see him face the Leafs down again. But Florida certainly has a formidable option in net with Luongo; with a .925 save percentage in all situations, he’s one of the league’s most consistent performers for YET ANOTHER year.
- Freddie Andersen is expected to start on the other end of the ice – no real surprise there. His numbers are finally climbing back up, but they’ve still got a ways to go before they hit the typical league average of around .917 in all situations (he’s currently sitting on a .913)
- There’s still no Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on a line (from what we can see), but that’s no surprise. Mike Babcock won’t do that, because he’s the coach, and he does what he wants. Plus, you know, play driving lines and all that.
- Henrik Haapala will make his NHL debut tonight, getting recalled to play on the second line after putting up seven points in 11 games for the AHL Springfield Falcons in his first North American campaign.
- Finally, shout out to another familiar face in Florida before the game! Former Nation Network overlord Thomas Drance now serves as the head of PR for the Panthers, where he’s crushing it in his new role. Hi, Thom!
LGD BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE PINT
Make the Pint your home for all things game day. We give away a free pound of wings during every game either home or away. 4.40$ mugs of Bud and Bud Lights.
Recent articles from Cat Silverman
