GDT: Dallas Stars at Toronto Maple Leafs 7PM SNO

[ShaneFalco]

Game Day: Stars at Maple Leafs

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Return of Andersen?
It’s possible that Frederik Andersen is healthy enough to start after missing the past four games with a neck injury, but there’s no urgency on the Leafs’ part thanks to the goaltending that Jack Campbell has been providing. Campbell would love to start against the Stars, who drafted him 11th overall in 2010, but if Andersen is ready, he should play. Either way, the Leafs won’t lack for confidence in their goalie.

2. Taking a shot
Auston Matthews had nine shots on goal in his past two games, but none of them found the back of the net. Not since early December has Matthews, sitting on 40 goals, gone three games without scoring. That could change on Thursday, as Matthews has five goals in five career games against Dallas. We figure the chance of Matthews scoring increases if Mitch Marner William Nylander remain his wingers.

3. Get the jump
While the Leafs’ starts generally have been much better since Sheldon Keefe replaced Mike Babcock as coach, an early cushion might have a greater chance of being achieved with some diligence. Dallas has scored just 39 goals in the first period this season, more than only NHL basement-dwellers Ottawa and Detroit. After a day off on Wednesday, the Leafs will have no reason for a slow start.

4. Starry night
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Leafs beat the Stars 5-3 in Dallas, with all eight of the goals coming at even-strength. Since, the Stars are 4-1-1 and are coming off what interim coach Rick Bowness called “one of our better games for 60 minutes, for sure,” a 4-1 win against Carolina on Tuesday. The Leafs should expect a similar effort from a Stars team that has designs on first place in the Central Division.

5. Seguin’s struggles
Tyler Seguin, against the Hurricanes, registered his 288th assist in a Dallas uniform, moving him into the top 10 in franchise history. A nice milestone to be sure, but we can bet the native of Brampton, Ont., will be inspired to end a goal slump. Seguin has not scored since Dec. 28, a 17-game span. Still, he could be a concern for the Leafs, against whom he has 32 points (with 14 goals) in 29 career games.

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[kb]

Time to go on a run, boys....

 

[ACC1224]

Nylander needs to go back with Tavares.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Freddie back in? GOOD

 

[ShaneFalco]

Aberg?

 

[dirty stanchion]

Seguin has not scored since Dec. 28, a 17-game span.

Ideally, we hold him to just one goal.

 

[Burnie97]

Keep it going tonight. Need another big win. Hopefully in regulation to avoid possible heart attacks... that would be nice.

Hopefully they light it up tonight.

Nylander should be feeling better... and Andy back in net.

 

[Liferleafer]

60 minutes....not 40....not 48....but 60 f***ing minutes.

 

[kb]

Nylander needs to go back with Tavares.

They need to get healthy.

 

[Warden of the North]

No Radulov. He plays well against us. Good

 

[ShaneFalco]

Mango needs to get going - Kap started last game, let's hope it continues

 

[Warden of the North]

Aberg?

I wonder if someone is asking about him and wants to see him in the NHL before making a trade.

Or possibly Timashov is being held out to keep him healthy. Recall he asked for a trade.....

 

[Palio]

I'm not a fan of the idea of the Nylander-Matthews-Marner line. Much prefer spreading the talent between the Marner-Matthews and Nylander-Tavares pairs. Maybe they will prove me wrong.

 

[18leafsfan18]

Nylander needs to go back with Tavares.

Would like to see what that top line can do with Nylander healthy (he looked slow last game) first.

If they continue to not produce, I agree put him back.

 

[MyBudJT]

Mango needs to get going - Kap started last game, let's hope it continues

Interesting, Jason Robsertson is Nick's brother.

 

[FireBabcock]

Flyers and Panthers tonight. We can make separation if Flyer and Leafs win

 

[SprDaVE]

I'd start Campbell tonight, Andersen backing up and then Hutchinson going on waivers.

With that said, sounds like Andersen will start tonight.

 

[Loosie]

 

[Liferleafer]

I'd start Campbell tonight, Andersen backing up and then Hutchinson going on waivers.

With that said, sounds like Andersen will start tonight.

If he's ready, you have to get Andersen back in the groove.

 

[ACC1224]

Would like to see what that top line can do with Nylander healthy (he looked slow last game) first.

If they continue to not produce, I agree put him back.

IMO wins are too important now to experiment.
I get why they tried it Tuesday but now that they should be healthy, put them back.

 

[tom leafers]

I'd start Campbell tonight, Andersen backing up and then Hutchinson going on waivers.

With that said, sounds like Andersen will start tonight.

Im okay giving Campbell some rest. dude has played 3 games in 5 nights since getting traded.

Freddy should be raring to go anyway. im expecting a great game from him tonight.

 

[Liferleafer]

Im okay giving Campbell some rest. dude has played 3 games in 5 nights since getting traded.

Freddy should be raring to go anyway. im expecting a great game from him tonight.

I will add, for some reason (no idea what that reason is) the team, seems to play better in front of Andy than they do whatever backup we start.

 

[AvroArrow]

Going to the game tonight, lets get this W !

I wanna see Nylander back with JT, they were solid together and we basically had 2 top lines equally as threatening

 

[kb]

No Radulov. He plays well against us. Good

No worries, Nick's brother will light us up.

 

[18leafsfan18]

IMO wins are too important now to experiment.
I get why they tried it Tuesday but now that they should be healthy, put them back.

Yeah. I could see pros and cons each way.