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GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Predators
Lance HornbyMore from Lance Hornby
GAME DAY: Maple Leafs at Predators
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (43-24-5) at NASHVILLE PREDATORS (41-27-5)
Tuesday, 8 p.m., Bridgestone Arena
TV: TSN4; Radio: 590 AM
THE BIG MATCHUP
G Frederik Andersen vs. G Pekka Rinne
Is Freddy ready? He’s going to flame out of Vezina Trophy talk if he repeats what happened last week, twice pulled in games and six goals surrendered in the win over Philadelphia. Nashville doesn’t score a lot, but beats teams by wearing them down. The only time the clubs met this season, Rinne had to face only 18 shots in besting emergency Leafs backup Michael Hutchinson, 4-0.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
Something on the line
As successful as Nashville has been again this season, the Preds have not clinched a playoff berth and still have a shot at catching the Winnipeg Jets for first in the Central Division. They come home with a good finish to their Western road trip, beating the San Jose Sharks to face a Leafs team that has sprung defensive leaks in a string of five-plus goals-against outings.
The thin blue line
As Toronto tries to plug holes on defence, Nashville coach Peter Laviolette can rely on two of the busiest blueliners in the NHL. Roman Josi is fifth in NHL average ice time at 25:12 a night and Ryan Ellis 17th at 24:09. Mattias Ekholm clocks in at just over 23 minutes.
Summoning Simmonds
Toronto-born Wayne Simmonds was a sentimental favourite to be traded to the Leafs at the deadline, but ended up at Bridgestone Arena. While Toronto’s power play is clicking again with goals in three straight games, the Preds are counting on the big man to help improve a power play that’s near the bottom of the league.
Auston and Austin
Auston Matthews has a four-game points streak going, his longest since early December. He and William Nylander are finding chemistry, which is vital as the Leafs have missed a concussed Kasperi Kapanen, on the verge of returning. Preds forward Austin Watson has been returned to active status after being on suspension through the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health Program.
Bettin’ on Petan
With a foot injury to Frederik Gauthier, Nic Petan has a another chance to show how versatile he can be on Toronto’s fourth line.
LEAFS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Zach Hyman John Tavares Mitch Marner
Andreas Johnsson Auston Matthews William Nylander
Patrick Marleau Nazem Kadri Kasperi Kapanen
T. Ennis/T. Moore Nic Petan Connor Brown
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Morgan Rielly Ron Hainsey
Jake Muzzin Nikita Zaitsev
Martin Marincin I. Ozhiganov/J. Holl
GOALIES
Frederik Andersen
Garret Sparks
PREDATORS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Filip Forsberg Ryan Johansen Viktor Arvidsson
Mikael Granlund Nick Bonino Wayne Simmonds
Calle Jarnkrok Colton Sissons Craig Smith
Brian Boyle Frederick Gaudreau Rocco Grimaldi
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Roman Josi Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm P.K. Subban
Matt Irwin Yannick Weber
GOALIES
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
SICK BAY
Toronto: D Jake Gardiner (back), D Travis Dermott (shoulder), C Frederik Gauthier (foot)
Nashville: D Dan Hamhuis (leg), LW Zac Rinaldo (shoulder)
SPECIAL TEAMS
POWER PLAY
Toronto: 23.1% (7th)
Nashville 13.0% (30th)
PENALTY KILLING
Toronto: 81.0% (15th)
Nashville: 80.9% (16th)
Tuesday NHL game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators
By Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter
Mon., March 18, 2019
BRIDGESTONE ARENA
FACEOFF: 8 p.m.
Tuesday NHL game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators | The Star
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/leafs/2019/03/18/tuesday-nhl-game-preview-toronto-maple-leafs-at-nashville-predators/arvidsson.jpg)
With back-to-back 30-goal seasons, Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson, left, has become an offensive star on a team known for its defence. (Ben Margot / The Associated Press)
TV: TSN
RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
KEY PLAYERS
Arvidsson/Tavares
Viktor Arvidsson scored a pair of goals in Nashville’s 4-2 win over San Jose on Saturday, reaching 31 goals on the season. That total has come in just 49 games for Arvidsson, who has set a franchise record with 28 even-strength goals. He joined Filip Forsberg as the only two players in team history with back-to-back 30-goal seasons. John Tavares reached 40 goals for the first time when he scored in the Leafs’ 6-2 loss in Ottawa on Saturday.
NEED TO KNOW
Nashville is one of the best defensive teams in the NHL — only Dallas has allowed fewer goals among Western Conference teams — and the Predators’ victory over San Jose gave them a 2-2 record in a four-game West Coast swing …Predators forward Colton Sissons has two goals in his last two games, and now has a career-high 28 points. Some bigger milestones: Forsberg has reached 300 career points while Ryan Johansen is at 400.
UP NEXT Wednesday at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
