Leafs vs. Canucks Preview: November 11, 2023. Join Our Game-Day Chat!
Leafs vs. Canucks Pre-Game Notes:
Fresh off a thrilling shootout victory against the Calgary Flames, the Toronto Maple Leafs brace themselves for a challenging matchup against the red-hot Vancouver Canucks this Saturday night. As they embark on the second leg of a back-to-back, Toronto undergoes some roster adjustments with Bobby McMann stepping into the fourth line in place of right winger Ryan Reaves. The defensive lineup sees the return of John Klingberg to the blue line, pairing up with William Lagesson on the third defensive pair.
Explaining the decision to sit Reaves, Coach Keefe expressed the need to provide him with a breather, allowing the seasoned player to clear his head. Keefe acknowledged the mental toll of retrieving pucks from the net, emphasizing the importance of mental clarity for optimal performance.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks, riding high on a successful three-game Eastern trip, present a formidable challenge. Coach Rick Tocchet, a Scarborough native, has breathed new life into a team that has struggled in recent playoff appearances. Star players Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes feature prominently in NHL scoring, with Hughes's 21 points tying him for fifth place alongside Toronto's William Nylander.
In the goaltending department, Thatcher Demko, boasting a stellar record of 7-2-0 with a remarkable .948 save percentage and two shutouts in his last five games, will guard the Canucks' net. On the Leafs' side, Ilya Samsonov takes the crease, aiming to maintain composure after a challenging outing against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Coach Keefe expressed confidence in Samsonov's preparation, acknowledging the tough competition awaiting him from the Canucks' formidable lineup.
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