Game Preview: Maple Leafs Attempt to Catch Lightning in a Bottle, Again
Welcome!
This is the premium game day preview; the first couple of previews will be free for all users. However, after that, it’ll be just for premium subscribers. So, if you like what you see, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out! We will talk about news and notes surrounding the Maple Leafs. As well as projected lineups and three keys to the game that could help the Maple Leafs beat their opponent. Tonight, the Maple Leafs take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time since the Leafs knocked them out of the 2023 NHL playoffs.
The Maple Leafs will try and bounce back from their last two losses that saw next to no offence. The Leafs and Lightning rivalry is as intense as ever, as there seems to be real hatred between these two clubs. The Lightning are a lot like the Panthers. They are missing a massive piece of their team in Andrei Vasilevskiy and are looking to stay in contention until he returns in December. As for the Maple Leafs, their shooters need to shoot early and often. They can beat both Tampa’s goalies by just overwhelming them.
News & Notes:
Tyler Bertuzzi returns to the top line with Matthews & Marner
Maple Leafs recalled Pontus Holmberg - he practiced on the fourth line
Fraser Minten looks to be a healthy scratch against Tampa
Minten could be returning to Kamloops this week
Projected Lineups:
Please Note: These lineups are subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Tyler Bertuzzi – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies – John Tavares – William Nylander
Calle Jarnkrok – David Kampf – Max Domi
Noah Gregor – Pontus Holmberg – Ryan Reaves
Morgan Reilly – T.J. Brodie
Jake McCabe – Timothy Liljegren
Mark Giordano – John Klingberg
Ilya Samsonov - Joseph Woll
Tampa Bay Lightning
Alex Barre-Boulet - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Steven Stamkos - Anthony Cirelli - Brandon Hagel
Tanner Jeannot - Nick Paul - Waltteri Merelä
Connor Sheary - Luke Glendening - Michael Eyssimont
Victor Hedman - Erik Cernak
Mikhail Sergachev - Darren Raddysh
Calvin De Hann - Nicklaus Perbix
Jonas Johansson – Matt Tomkins
3 Keys to the Game:
Need to Score First: I said it against the Panthers too. The Maple Leafs are the type of team that will do well if they feel confident. Well, what makes players confident? Finding the back of the net. They need to score first or at least in the first. They can’t keep falling behind and hoping to win games late.
Ryan Reaves Effect: Ryan Reaves should play a big factor in this game. With the rivalry between these two teams, having a player like Reaves on your team is only a bonus. Look for a Reaves vs. Jeannot fight tonight.
Sammy to Start: Samsonov needs to be on his game tonight. He played better last game than in his previous starts. However, he needs to be better. Samsonov’s opponent at the other end of the ice is most likely going to be Jones Johansson, so all he needs to do is outplay him and give his team some saves.
Preview Prediction:
This is a fun portion of the preview, where I predict the score of the game as well as a goal scorer from either team. There is also a poll down below where you, the premium subscriber, can vote on who you think the winner of the game will be.
Winning Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Reason: The Maple Leafs will be hungry for a win after dropping the last two.
Goal Scorers:
Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews
Reason: Matthews has been on a tear this season, and looks like he is returning to his 60-goal form. He, like the Leafs, has been shut down the last two games, so he will be looking to score early and often tonight.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Brayden Point
Reason: It seems that Point is like Josh Anderson. It feels like he always scores when he plays the Maple Leafs. This is a player that the blue line should be looking to finish checks on in the defensive zone to ensure he doesn’t score.
Be sure to check out our game-day chat later today. It is a fun, interactive way to chat with diehard Leafs fans just like yourself!