GAME DAY: Penguins at Maple Leafs
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GAME DAY: Penguins at Maple Leafs
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS at TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
7 p.m., Thursday
Scotiabank Arena, TSN, TSN Radio 1050
BIG MATCHUP
Sidney Crosby vs. Auston Matthews
While there’s debate as to whether Auston Matthews is a better player right now than Connor McDavid (he isn’t), Matthews likely gets to concern himself with another fine Canadian, one Sidney Crosby. The latter goes into Thursday in search of his first goal of 2018-19, so it’s worth keeping in mind that in 40 career games versus Toronto, Crosby has 26 goals (and 31 assists). Crosby will be that much hungrier, if that’s possible.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Freddie returns?
The Maple Leafs had a day off Wednesday, so there was no update from the team on No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen, who is dealing with a knee issue. But Eamon McAdam, who had been summoned on an emergency basis, was loaned to the Marlies, an indication that Andersen is good to go. If not, Garret Sparks put some faith in the coaching staff with a 33-save victory against Los Angeles on Monday.
2. The amazin’ Auston
Auston Matthews has had two points in every game this season, except for Oct. 7 at Chicago, when he recorded four. The win against the Kings marked the first time Matthews has not scored a goal, but so what —is 16 points lead the NHL and Matthews is getting it done with 16 minutes six seconds of ice time at even-strength, 14th-most among NHL forwards prior to Wednesday. Matthews has one goal and two assists in five career games versus Pittsburgh.
3. Murray on tap
While the Leafs’ goaltending picture remains a bit unclear, the thinking is Matt Murray will be in the Penguins net, which would be his first appearance since suffering a concussion in practice on Oct. 8. Murray could be rusty, and he acknowledged on Wednesday that the Leafs are “dynamic” and that “it’s going to be a difficult game for us,” but he does have a .945 save percentage in four career games against Toronto. Not an easy out for the Leafs.
4. Line on Malkin
Coach Mike Sullivan has tinkered with his lines as his Penguins club starts a four-game trip with a middling 2-1-2 record. One consistency is Evgeni Malkin between Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel, though Sullivan said on Wednesday that he wants to see more structure from the trio when it does not have the puck. Malkin has been a tricky opponent for Toronto, riding a six-game point streak versus the Leafs.
5. Men in the middle
The Leafs passed a tough test on Saturday when they beat the Capitals, a team that boasts formidable depth at centre. The Penguins pose a similar kind of obstacle with Crosby, Malkin, Derick Brassard and Matt Cullen, who is still playing at the age of 41. Pittsburgh was third in the NHL with a 54.7% winning rate in the faceoff circle, while the Leafs were 14th at 50.5%. Puck retrieval will be key for Toronto if it doesn’t immediately gain possession on faceoffs.
MAPLE LEAFS LINES
LW-C-RW
Patrick Marleau-Auston Matthews-Kasperi Kapanen
Zach Hyman-John Tavares-Mitch Marner
Par Lindholm-Nazem Kadri-Connor Brown
Andreas Johnsson-Frederik Gauthier-Josh Leivo
Defence pairs
Morgan Rielly-Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner-Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott-Igor Ozhiganov
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Garret Sparks
PENGUINS LINES
LW-C-RW
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Carl Hagelin-Evgeni Malkin-Phil Kessel
Dominik Simon-Derick Brassard-Patric Hornqvist
Daniel Sprong-Matt Cullen-Riley Sheahan
Defence pairs
Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang
Olli Maatta-Jamie Oleksiak
Jack Johnson-Juuso Riikola
Goaltenders
Matt Murray
Casey DeSmith
INJURIES
Penguins — D Justin Schultz (leg).
Maple Leafs — None.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power play
Penguins: 23.1% (15th)
Maple Leafs: 47.4% (1st)
Penalty kill
Penguins: 92.3% (4th)
Maple Leafs: 84.2% (8th)
