GDT: Leafs @ Panthers 7 PM SN

[Budsfan]

Game day: Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers
Matthews and Leafs open Florida trip with date against Jagr’s Panthers.

By Star staff
Tues., Dec. 27, 2016

https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2016/12/27/game-day-maple-leafs-at-florida-panthers.html

BB&T CENTER

FACEOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: Sportsnet

RADIO: TSN 1050

KEY PLAYERS

Matthews/Jagr

They’re at opposite ends of their NHL careers, but Leafs’ teen centre Auston Matthews and ageless Czech marvel Jaromir Jagr have something in common: they’ll be two of the most exciting players on the ice on Wednesday night. Matthews is among the league leaders in goals with 16, while the 44-year-old Jagr is second on the Panthers with 21 points.

NEED TO KNOW

The Leafs called three players up from the AHL’s Marlies for the trip: goaltender Antoine Bibeau plus forwards Byron Froese and Frederik Gauthier. Bibeau is 7-7-2 with a 2.46 goals-against average and a .908 save mark and three shutouts in 16 games with the Leafs’ farm club. He made 26 saves in his NHL debut against Colorado on Dec. 11. Froese has 12 goals and five assists in 27 AHL games this season, while Gauthier was recalled for the second time in December and has a goal and an assist in three games with the big club.

UP NEXT

Thursday at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m

Game Day: Maple Leafs at Panthers
By Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/12/28/game-day-maple-leafs-at-panthers

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at FLORIDA PANTHERS

Wednesday, 7 p.m., BB&T Center

TV: SNO; Radio: 1050 AM


THE BIG MATCHUP

Frederik Andersen vs. Roberto Luongo

After James Reimer got to start against his former team in November and was beaten up 6-1, look for Luongo to pursue his 21st win in 30 decisions against the Leafs. Luongo, once coveted by the Leafs as a No. 1, will be taking on the man who finally could be the answer to Toronto’s net troubles, the very hot Andersen. Round 1 between the goaltenders went to Andersen, a 3-2 win in October.

Click to read more...

 

[Budsfan]

 

[saltming]

This should he a fun tilt. Panthers have not been where I thought they should be but I'm still interested to see how we match up against them now.
Go leafs go

 

[Budsfan]

Leafs' upcoming stretch could be crucial

If the Leafs plan to get back into the playoff mix, how important is their next stretch of games against teams they are chasing in the standings? Can Frederik Gauthier continue to be a contributor for Toronto? That's Hockey discusses.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/leafs-upcoming-stretch-could-be-crucial~1024390

 

[ACC1224]

Any chance either tonight's or tomorrows game is televised in Montreal?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

A Leaf win tonight puts them 3 back of Boston with 3 games in hand

 

[saltming]

Bozak game time decision

 

[Suntouchable13]

Leafs have to take at least 3 of 4 points in the next 2 nights against teams they are directly competing against for me to take them seriously as a playoff contender. You can't tell me that they have realistic playoff chances if they take only 2 or less.

 

[Rayban*]

win would be big, but getting big wins has been a struggle this year. Hopefully Matthews and Marner put up points at least.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Leafs have to take at least 3 of 4 points in the next 2 nights against teams they are directly competing against for me to take them seriously as a playoff contender. You can't tell me that they have realistic playoff chances if they take only 2 or less.

In December?

I'd say we're still in it.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Leafs have to take at least 3 of 4 points in the next 2 nights against teams they are directly competing against for me to take them seriously as a playoff contender. You can't tell me that they have realistic playoff chances if they take only 2 or less.

5 points back of Boston with 4 games in hand, yes I can

 

[PuckMagi]

I'm watching the game at Gretzky's bar tonight for the first time. Should be fun.

 

[Suntouchable13]

In December?

I'd say we're still in it.

If they don't bank the points against these teams now, good luck doing it in February/March. That's why I am thinking they have to take 3 of 4 now.

 

[Nithoniniel]

There was a graph in some other thread that showed our chances. It showed that we'd have to keep a 95 point pace from this moment on to get in, versus what would be a 85 point pace for Boston. That's quite a big difference these days.

 

[ULF_55]

Leafs have to take at least 3 of 4 points in the next 2 nights against teams they are directly competing against for me to take them seriously as a playoff contender. You can't tell me that they have realistic playoff chances if they take only 2 or less.

I'm expecting 2 losses, but wouldn't be shocked by 2 wins.

Hoping for entertaining games no matter who wins.

 

[Mess]

There was a graph in some other thread that showed our chances. It showed that we'd have to keep a 95 point pace from this moment on to get in, versus what would be a 85 point pace for Boston. That's quite a big difference these days.

Leafs are more likely to be chasing the Florida state teams Panthers and Lightning the teams next 2 opponents for a playoff spot as opposed to Boston.

These next 2 games are huge for the Leafs as losses would make it 3 teams not just Boston they're chasing down.

 

[Leaffan1991]

Any chance either tonight's or tomorrows game is televised in Montreal?

Yea it's nationally televised on sportsnet today

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Andersen doesn't need after having the holiday break. Play him both games if winning is priority. He is not burning that much energy the way he plays. He is big and efficient, not a acrobat. Jeezus he needs to play both.

 

[BTP]

Win this **** let's push for the playoffs

 

[Warden of the North]

Been to long. Cant wait for this game to start

 

[Liferleafer]

5 points back of Boston with 4 games in hand, yes I can

Both the Bruins and Sens lost last night, we need this win!

 

[A1LeafNation]

Both the Bruins and Sens lost last night, we need this win!

We need nothing. It's December.

 

[MapleLeafs9]

Looks like Bozak is back tonight

 

[Suntouchable13]

We need nothing. It's December.

Yea, great mentality. If you want playoffs, you have to bank points now. You think it's going to be easy getting points in February and March? Have to close ground now. If they are still 4 or 5 points out at that time and chasing multiple teams, it will be too late.

 

[WilliamNylander]

Gotta win today and tomorrow

Time to step up