Setting the Stage: Leafs vs. Habs
By Danny Gray
12 years ago
Oh baby. There is just something about a Leafs/Habs game. This is the 710th meeting between these storied franchises. Historically the Habs hold a better record against the Leafs, but they have failed to win a season series against the Leafs in a long while. The Leafs had their most consistent effort of the season against Montreal on opening night. Let’s hope they can take advantage of an injury riddled team that has stumbled to a 1-4-1 record that sees them at the bottom of the Northeast Division standings.
The Leafs are coming off their first regulation loss of the season and have suffered a few injuries themselves. Tyler Bozak will be a game time decision. If he is unable to go expect to see Matthew Lombardi centre the number one line. (Raise your hand if you ever expected to read that sentence) This is a game that the Leafs can and should win. They need to have a strong start and hopefully build an early lead. A team with Jay Rosehill and Colton Orr on the ice is ill-suited to play catch-up.
The Leafs probable lines- Per Everyone on Twitter:
Forward:
Lupul-Lombardi-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabo-Kulemin
Kadri-Steckel-Frattin
Brown-Dupuis-Rosehill
On D:
Phaneuf-Gunnarsson
Schenn-Gardiner
Liles-Komisarek
In net:
Reimer
Tonight’s Narratives:
- The pair of Schenn-Gardiner looked good against the B’s, they will need to be confident with the puck to overcome the Habs propensity to trap though.
- I’m excited to see the line of Kadri-Steckel-Frattin, I predict they will draw a barrel of penalties. The Habs special teams, usually one of their strengths, have been poor this season, the Leafs need to take advantage of this.
- Reimer has said he likes to face the top goalies around the league. Price has yet to play like one this season, but is more than capable of stealing the game for the Habs. Reimer needs to be on top of his game tonight.
- Nazem Kadri grew up a Habs fan, now is the time to make amends for that.
The Nifty Mittens shall deliver you from evil, Nazem.
Go Leafs Go!
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