Thursday game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at New Jersey Devils
The Devils can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Leafs
Thursday game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at New Jersey Devils | Toronto Star
Devils forward Taylor Hall, centre, has 17 points in his last nine games. (Karl B DeBlaker / The Associated Press)
By
Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter
Wed., April 4, 2018
PRUDENTIAL CENTER
FACEOFF: 7 p.m.
TV: TSN
RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
KEY PLAYERS
Hall/Marner
Oh, those poor Edmonton fans.
Taylor Hall, traded to the Devils for defenceman Adam Larsson, has become a Hart Trophy contender in his second season with New Jersey. He has 17 points during a nine-game scoring streak, including two goals and two assists in a win over the rival Rangers on Tuesday. The Devils were looking for improved commitment and accountability from Hall this season; he hasn’t disappointed. The Leafs’
Mitch Marner has been on a tear since mid-February, with 32 points in 24 games.
NEED TO KNOW
Goaltender
Keith Kinkaid has saved the Devils’ season as much as Hall. The backup vaulted into saviour mode when starter
Corey Schneider first grew ill in mid February, then developed a groin injury that sidelined him for almost four weeks. Kinkaid is now 14-3-1, with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage over his last 19 games. Since Feb. 15, only three goalies who have played 15 games or more have better numbers than Kinkaid. That has allowed the Devils to ease Schneider back into action and he has struggled, with an .862 save percentage and a 3.82 GAA in four games ... New Jersey can clinch its first playoff berth in six seasons with a win over the Leafs ... The Devils have been 15th in offence since Feb. 15, but they’ve won eight one-goal games.
UP NEXT
Saturday, vs. Montreal, 7 p.m.
GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Devils
Lance HornbyMore from Lance Hornby
GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Devils
MAPLE LEAFS AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS
7 P.M., Thursday, Prudential Center
TV: TSN RADIO: SPORTSNET 590
THE BIG MATCHUP
LW Taylor Hall vs. G Frederik Andersen
In one of the best late-season kicks in recent memory, Hall is getting his team in the playoffs and himself into the Hart Trophy conversation. Hall’s four points in a 5-2 beat down of the rival Rangers on Tuesday gives him 36 in his past 39 games since Jan. 1. Andersen has sat the past two games in a pre-planned rest so he can start the last two games and maintain playoff sharpness next week.
KEYS TO THE GAME
PUNCH THAT TICKET
Plenty at stake for the home team. Emerging from a competitive race for limited playoff spots, Jersey will need a point to ensure it can at least finish ahead of the Florida Panthers and now has the added incentive of closing in on Columbus and Pittsburgh for better seeding. The Leafs, who’ve had a few meaningless games in March, would like nothing better than to tune up against the Devils’ best and motivated lineup.
KINKAID CAN DO
In three years of relief work for the Devils, Keith Kinkaid had 23 wins. This year, he’s at 25 and counting and a big part of their push.
NO DEVILISH BEHAVIOUR
Jersey would be wise to avoid the box as both units of Toronto’s power play are hot of late, particularly Auston Matthews. He has even-strength and special teams points in all seven games since he came back from a shoulder injury.
BUTCHER’S SHOP
Will Butcher had a couple of goals Tuesday to add to his Devils’ team record for points by a rookie defenceman, now at 44. He was originally selected in 2013 by Colorado, a draft held at his current home rink in Newark.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Toronto’s 89 opening-period goals rank second in the league, 20 ahead of the Devils who rely far more on defence to squeeze out wins.
MAPLE LEAFS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Zach Hyman Auston Matthews William Nylander
Patrick Marleau Nazem Kadri Mitch Marner
James van Riemsdyk Tyler Bozak Connor Brown
Leo Komarov Tomas Plekanec Kasperi Kapanen
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Morgan Rielly Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner Nikita Zaitsev
Connor Carrick Roman Polak
GOALIES
Frederik Andersen
Curtis McElhinney
SICK BAY
D Travis Dermott
DEVILS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Taylor Hall Nico Hischier Kyle Palmieri
M. Grabner/M. Wood Pavel Zacha Patrick Maroon
Blake Coleman Travis Zajac Stefan Noesen
M. Wood/M.Grabner Brian Boyle Brian Gibbons
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Andy Greene Sami Vatanen
John Moore Mirco Mueller
Will Butcher Ben Lovejoy
GOALIES
Keith Kinkaid
Cory Schneider
SICK BAY
F Marcus Johansson
SPECIAL TEAMS
POWER PLAY
Toronto 24.2% (2nd)
New Jersey 21.7% (10th)
PENALTY KILLING
Toronto 81.3% (12th)
New Jersey 81.9% (7th)
