SPEAKING WITH THE ENEMY: Leafs at Red Wings
7 years ago
The Wings and Leafs face off for the second time this season and we’ve asked writers from both LeafsNation and WingsNation to give us their take on tonight’s matchup. As always, we’ve also put together a few quick stats to get you ready for the final meeting between this two teams.
Please note that this article was posted at both TLN and WingsNation.
THE MATCHUP
Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 – Joe Lewis Arena (Detroit) – 7:00pm (EST) on Sportsnet
| Detroit Red Wings | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 20-19-9 (7th in the Atlantic) | 22-14-9 (4th in the Atlantic) |
| 4-3-3 in their last 10 | 6-2-2 in their last 10 |
| Power Play (PP%): 11.3% | Power Play (PP%): 24.1% |
| Penalty Kill (PK%): 80.4% | Penalty Kill (PK%): 85.2% |
| Goal Differntial: -16 | Goal Differential: +9 |
 |  |
Tonight:
The Leafs and Wings collide for the second time in 2017 but the first time indoors. In their last meeting, the Centennial Classic, the Leafs walked away with an exciting 5-4 overtime win on the back of some nice work by Auston Matthews. The Red Wings had a hard fought battle against the Bruins last night, but will look to manufacture some energy for tonight’s game at the Joe.
Points Leaders:
Mitch Marner (TOR) – 11G, 28A = 39 points
Auston Matthews (TOR) – 22G, 16A = 38 points
James van Riemsdyk (TOR) – 16G, 22A = 38 points
Henrik Zetterberg (DET) – 9G, 24A = 33 points
Thomas Vanek (DET) – 12G, 19A = 31 points
Frans Nielson (DET) – 10G, 16A = 26 points
Goaltenders:
Toronto:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederik Andersen | 38 | 38 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 1,230 | 99 | 2.62 | 1,131 | .920 | 2 | 2,27 |
| Curtis McElhinney | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 2.00 | 35 | .946 | 0 | 60 |
Detroit:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Coreau | 11 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 300 | 28 | 2.90 | 272 | .907 | 2 | 580 |
| Petr Mrazek | 27 | 22 | 10 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 736 | 77 | 3.13 | 659 | .895 | 0 | 1,477 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Why is your team going to win or why will your enemy lose?
The year that the Joe opened, the Leafs were clearly better than the Wings. The year it’s closing, they’re clearly better than the wings.
It is virtually impossible for the Wings to lose two games in a row to the Leafs. Won’t happen.
Who’s hot? Who’s not?
Jeff Veillette:
I suppose half the team stil has flame residue on them from all facing the flames, but besides that, the JVR-Bozak-Marner line keeps clicking, Jake Gardiner has been doing a heck of a job stepping into the 1-spot with Morgan Rielly out, and Zach Hyman probably chases loose pucks in his sleep. Nazem Kadri too, he’s been great. This team is just rolling in general, really.
WingsNation:
If you haven’t watched Andreas Anthanasiou this season then you’re missing out. The man is a human highlight real with rockets for legs.
Why should people watch this game?
Jeff Veillette:
Do we still need to convince people why you need to watch Leafs games? We’re the centre of the universe and our team is the most fun offensive machine this league has seen in years. Don’t @ me.
WingsNation:
It doesn’t get much better than an original six battle. Period.
Say something nice about your opponent.
Jeff Veillette:
You have at least two defencemen that I’d gladly steal..
WingsNation:
Mitch Marner has amazing hands.
Any last words?
Jeff Veillette:
The Leafs are actually good. I’m not going to stop saying that, because they’re not going to stop being actually good.
WingsNation:
The road to keeping the playoff streak alive goes through Toronto and neither Matthews nor Marner will stop us.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Join in the conversation on Twitter at @TLNdc and @WingsNation to give us your thoughts on the game. Social media not your thing? Keep the battle going in the game day articles at LeafsNation and WingsNation.
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