SPEAKING WITH THE ENEMY: Jets at Leafs
7 years ago
Tonight marks the second meeting of the season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets, and we’ve asked writers from both TheLeafsNation and JetsNation to get you set for tonight’s matchup. We’ve also put together a few notes to get you ready for the final time these two teams will meet this year.
Please note that this article is posted at both TLN and JetsNation
THE MATCHUP
Tuesday, February 21st, 2017 – Air Canada Centre (Toronto) – 7:30pm (EST)/6:30pm (CT) on TSN3
| Winnipeg Jets | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 28-29-5 (5th in the Central) | 27-20-11 (5th in the Atlantic) |
| 5-4-1 in their last 10 | 4-4-2 in their last 10 |
| Power Play (PP%): 17.5% | Power Play (PP%): 23.0% |
| Penalty Kill (PK%): 77.1% | Penalty Kill (PK%): 83.5% |
| Goal Differential: -14 | Goal Differential: +8 |
 |  |
Today’s Meeting:
Tonight’s contest is the second and final meeting between the Jets and Leafs, and their first matchup since the season kicked off in October. Winnipeg took the first contest in overtime by a score of 5-4 and the Leafs will be looking to take the season series at one game apiece. With both teams in pursuit of wildcard spots, this game has playoff implications for both sides and a crucial two points will be up for grabs.
Points Leaders:
Mark Scheifele (WPG) – 25G, 35A = 60 points
Patrik Laine (WPG) – 28G, 24A = 52 points
Auston Matthews (TOR) – 28G, 21A = 49 points
Blake Wheelher (WPG) – 17G, 31A = 48 points
Mitch Marner (TOR) – 15G, 33A = 48 points
Nazem Kadri (TOR) – 24G, 22A = 46 points
Goaltenders:
Winnipeg
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck | 42 | 39 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 1,159 | 103 | 2.73 | 1,056 | .911 | 3 | 2,264 |
| Michael Hutchinson | 20 | 15 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 510 | 54 | 3.23 | 456 | .894 | 1 | 1,003 |
| Ondrej Pavelec | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 233 | 26 | 3.55 | 207 | .888 | 0 | 440 |
Toronto
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis McElhinney | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 12 | 2.08 | 182 | .938 | 1 | 346 |
| Frederik Anderson | 47 | 47 | 23 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 1,503 | 128 | 2.78 | 1,375 | .915 | 3 | 2,760 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Why is your team going to win or why will your enemy lose?
In case you haven’t noticed, Patrik Laine is hot fire and likely looking for a chance to show the country that he’s the NHL’s best rookie. We’d expect a big game out of him.
Auston Matthews doesn’t have to look for a chance to show the country that he’s the NHL’s best rookie because we already know that. The Leafs are missing the second best rookie in the league tonight, but also still have the fourth best rookie, an all-around better team, and a goalie who, while inconsistent, is capable of having good games more frequently than every full moon.
Who’s hot? Who’s not?
JetsNation:
Patrik Laine scores hat tricks like they’re going out of style and the Jets find themselves in the mix for a Wildcard spot. The goaltending is still suspect as ever, but that’s a story for another day.
Jeff Veillette:
Even in the midst of a losing streak, a few Leafs are rolling in February. Nazem Kadri and Auston Matthews are producing at point-per-game paces, William Nylander is just a goal away, Connor Brown pulled some magic out of his hat on Sunday and Josh Leivo has been impressive he finally made his way into the lineup.
Why should people watch this game?
JetsNation:
Laine vs Matthews should be the only reason you need. It’s important for Leafs fans to know that their rookies are okay, but not on the same level as the Patrik Legend.
Jeff Veillette:
Because why wouldn’t you want to watch a game that features many of the greatest young players in the hockey world and also the jets?
Say something nice about your opponent.
JetsNation:
The Toronto delusions of grandeur sound fun.
Jeff Veillette:
Real talk, Patrik Laine rules. He isn’t Auston Matthews, but he doesn’t have to be. He’s the perfect fit for the Jets in the long run, and I love his confidence and I’m jealous of his shot. I’ve called out “Laine” while winding up a slapshot many times in pickup games over the past few months, and I’ms even years older than the kid.
Any last words?
JetsNation:
‘Member how the last game between these two played out? I ‘member.
Jeff Veillette:
This matchup is probably going to be a Stanley Cup Final in a few years.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Join in the conversation on Twitter at @TLNdc and @NHLJetsNation to give us your thoughts on the game. Social media not your thing? Keep the battle going in the game day articles at TheLeafsNation.com and JetsNation.ca.
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