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GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Hurricanes
Terry KoshanMore from Terry Koshan
GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Hurricanes
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at CAROLINA HURRICANES
7 p.m. Tuesday
PNC Arena, TSN, The Fan 590
BIG MATCHUP
Patrick Marleau vs. Justin Williams
Who insists the NHL is just a young man’s game now? Patrick Marleau, at 39, and Justin Williams, at 37, might have something to say about that. Despite the greybeard status of each in his respective dressing room, Marleau (17 points in 30 games) and Williams (15 points in 28 games) maintain the ability to influence the outcome. Marleau is averaging 17 minutes, 25 seconds of ice time, while Williams comes in at 16 minutes, 42 seconds. Neither is playing out the string.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1.Bizarre reminder
Recall the Maple Leafs’ most recent visit, on Nov. 21: The trigger-happy Hurricanes peppered Frederik Andersen with 29 shots on goal in the first period, but managed just 16 the rest of the way, winning 5-2 as they were bolstered by a couple of empty-net goals. Considering the Leafs have had time to regroup after losing in Boston on Saturday, there won’t be any reason for a flat start, no matter how determined Carolina will be. The Hurricanes have not played since Friday.
2. Half-Auston, half-amazing
As much as Auston Matthews says that it takes some time to get re-adjusted after missing a span because of an injury, we’re having a hard time believing it, and so are opponents. In five games since returning from his shoulder injury, Matthews has at least one point in each, scoring six goals and recording four assists. In five career games against the Hurricanes, Matthews has two goals and two assists. The Hurricanes will be in tough, especially with veteran Jordan Staal not available to keep an eye on Matthews.
3. Simple math
Despite the Hurricanes’ propensity for putting the puck on net — they were second in the NHL before Monday with 827 shots on goal during five-on-five play — they have not had much luck actually putting the puck in the net, netting just 44 goals at five-on-five, tied for second-fewest in the NHL. Their power play is suspect, and they don’t come back, winning just four times in 16 games they have gone down 1-0. The Leafs are 14-0-1 when scoring first. Do it on Tuesday and a win is almost guaranteed.
4. Lack of Zach factor
Not to take anything away from the other Toronto players, but the Leafs lose their most diligent forward, and top penalty killer, with the two-game suspension to Zach Hyman. Since becoming a Leafs regular to start the 2016-17 season, Hyman has not missed a game, his work ethic setting an example each time he goes over the boards. With Hyman — among the more honest, cleanest players you will find — cooling his heels, Connor Brown and his high motor will get an opportunity on the left side with John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
5. White sweaters rule
Even with the loss to the Bruins, the Leafs’ first of five consecutive away games, Toronto is one of the best road teams in the NHL with a record of 11-4-0, the 11 wins tying them with Colorado for the most in the league. Carolina is middling on home ice, compiling a 7-4-3 mark. The Leafs largely have been successful on the road because they start on time, are opportunistic and get solid goaltending from Andersen. The same will have to apply on Tuesday and later in the week.
MAPLE LEAFS LINES
LW-C-RW
Andreas Johnsson-Auston Matthews-Kasperi Kapanen
Connor Brown-John Tavares-Mitch Marner
Patrick Marleau-Nazem Kadri-William Nylander
Par Lindholm-Frederik Gauthier-Tyler Ennis
Defence pairs
Morgan Rielly-Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner-Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott-Igor Ozhiganov
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Garret Sparks
HURRICANES LINES
LW-C-RW
Jordan Martinook-Sebastian Aho-Teuvo Teravainen
Andrei Svechnikov-Lucas Wallmark-Justin Williams
Warren Foegele-Victor Rask-Phil Di Giuseppe
Micheal Ferland-Clark Bishop-Brock McGinn
Defence pairs
Jaccob Slavin-Dougie Hamilton
Calvin de Haan-Justin Faulk
Trevor van Riemsdyk-Brett Pesce
Goaltenders
Petr Mrazek
Scott Darling
INJURIES
Hurricanes — C Jordan Staal (concussion), G Curtis McElhinney (lower body)
Maple Leafs — LW Zach Hyman (suspended).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power play
Hurricanes: 15.8% (23rd)
Maple Leafs: 27.3% (5th)
Penalty kill
Hurricanes: 79.1% (17th)
Maple Leafs: 80% (14th)
