It’s been cold and miserable in Toronto this week – and the weather hasn’t been so great either. The Leafs played two of their worst games ever, and then played one of their better games because they finally competed, which kind of makes sense if you think about it – the only thing consistent about this team is its inconsistency. 

Now, the Leafs welcome the Red Wings, a team who continue to be very good year in and year out. They have a great coach that educates his players, they’re great at puck possession, they pull fantastic players out of late draft picks, and they have not just one but two top line centres. The Red Wings are literally the anti-Leafs.

The Leafs are 0-2 so far against Detroit, with the first loss against them being bulletin board material for how embarrassing it was. Or was that the game against Pittsburgh? Or was it against Boston? Or Buffalo? Or Nashville? There have been a lot of embarrassing games it’s almost like those games are more likely closer to the norm than the very good games this team plays. 

Carlyle continues with his bizarre line combinations that I can’t begin to understand. Why he won’t go back to Winnik-Kadri-Kessel would make a really great Twilight Zone episode in my opinion.

Good news injury-wise – Joffrey Lupul should be back for Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh and David Booth should make his Leafs debut as well. 

van Riemsdyk – Bozak – Kessel

Komarov – Kadri – Santorelli

Phaneuf – Franson

Gardiner – Polak

Rielly – Robidas

Even without Datsyuk, there is a lot to like up front for Detroit. A great mix of skill, speed, youth, and veterans. I don’t get how this team is competitive every year but hey I guess that’s what competent management and coaching can give you.

Oh and Detroit is 9th in CF% so don’t expect Toronto to get the puck very much unless they’ve changed their game plan up a little bit. Which they haven’t. It’s been three years.

Nyquist – Zetterberg – Franzen

Tatar – Sheahan – Abdelkader

Cleary – Helm – Jurco

Miller – Glendening – Andersson

Kronwall – Ericsson

Quincey – DeKeyser

Lashoff – Ouellet