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Game Day: Maple Leafs at Lightning
Terry KoshanMore from Terry Koshan
Game Day: Maple Leafs at Lightning
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Amalie Arena,
TV: Sportsnet Ontario, Radio: 1050 AM
THE BIG MATCHUP
John Tavares vs. Steven Stamkos
Both born in 1990, Tavares and Stamkos go back a long way to when they were competing with and against each other as kids in the Greater Toronto Area. The respect level on either side is high, and you can imagine there will be a few friendly nods during warmup. Once the game starts, the smiles will fade, but the mutual admiration will not. “Stammer is one of the best players of this decade for sure, tremendous goal-scorer, leader and all-around player,” Tavares said.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Thanks, Mom
No better way for the Maple Leafs to give thanks to their mothers than with a complete, honest effort, though we should remember that such an approach still might not be enough against such a strong Lightning club. Replicate to an extent what happened in Raleigh on Tuesday, when the Leafs were simple and effective against a lesser Hurricanes team, and Toronto increases its chances of winning against the Lightning. Tampa Bay has not lost since Nov. 27, winning seven in a row.
2. Winging it
Among the subplots will be the play of the wingers on each side. Nikita Kucherov leads Tampa Bay in scoring with 45 points in 32 games, while Yanni Gourde can make an impact. For the Leafs, William Nylander might find space a little tighter after recording his first points of the season, two assists against Carolina, in the Leafs’ win. And what’s left to say about Mitch Marner that has not been already? Not much. His 35 assists continue to trail only Mikko Rantanen (39) of the Colorado Avalanche. The Lightning should have plenty of film, as well, on the speed that Kasperi Kapanen brings.
3. Even more special
The best hockey clubs excel in all areas, and while special teams success is important, the Lightning (83 goals) and the Leafs (78 goals) are the NHL’s most productive while playing five-on-five. Tampa Bay has an NHL-best plus-39 goal differential, while the Leafs are second at plus-28. Point is, each side knows that one error can lead to a goal against, so expect the teams to try to avoid getting into a track meet, aspirations that may be difficult considering the talent on both sides of the ice.
4. Brayden on Point
Among the areas the Leafs pride themselves is the growth of the team’s youngsters, and it’s the same with the Lightning. Leading the way is 22-year-old Brayden Point, who is well on the way to smashing his career high of 66 points, done as an NHL sophomore last season. Point has become a trustworthy defensive player, and could be tasked with providing a shadow for Auston Matthews. Point is made for today’s NHL — not overly big, but quick and smart — and will be a handful for the Leafs centre he sees the most.
5. Vasilevskiy back?
Andrei Vasilevskiy could return to the Tampa Bay crease after missing four weeks with a broken foot. The 24-year-old, who practised on Wednesday, and the team will make the call on Thursday. “We wanted to make sure that he got a sweat and to see how he went through it,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “Looks like he managed it pretty well.” Vasilevskiy is 7-4-1 against the Leafs, posting a .917 save percentage and a 2.44 goals-against average. The Lightning, buoyed by backup Louis Domingue, was 12-2 in Vasilevskiy’s absence.
MAPLE LEAFS LINES
LW-C-RW
Connor Brown-John Tavares-Mitch Marner
Andreas Johnsson-Auston Matthews-Kasperi Kapanen
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
LIGHTNING LINES
LW-C-RW
Ondrej Palat-Steven Stamkos-Yanni Gourde
Tyler Johnson-Brayden Point-Nikita Kucherov
Alex Killorn-Anthony Cirelli-J.T. Miller
Mathieu Joseph-Cedric Paquette-Ryan Callahan
Defence pairs
Victor Hedman-Dan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh-Erik Cernak
Braydon Coburn-Mikhail Sergachev
Goaltenders
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Louis Domingue
INJURIES
Lightning — D Anton Stralman (upper body), LW Adam Erne (illness).
Maple Leafs — LW Zach Hyman (suspended).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power play
Lightning: 29.2% (3rd)
Maple Leafs: 25.9% (7th)
Penalty kill
Lightning: 83.0% (8th)
Maple Leafs: 80.0% (15th)
