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GAME DAY: Predators at Maple Leafs
Lance HornbyMore from Lance Hornby
GAME DAY: Predators at Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Nashville Predators
7 P.M., Monday, Scotiabank Arena
TV: Sportsnet RADIO: TSN 1050
THE BIG MATCH-UP
G Pekka Rinne vs. G Michael Hutchinson
This will be a different animal for newcomer Hutchinson and the Leafs than the road weary Canucks for Toronto, with the Preds owning first place in the Central Division before the Jets played Sunday and coming off a 4-1 win in Montreal. Rinne has struggled a bit of late, doesn’t have great career numbers against the Leafs and let Juuse Saros have the start on Saturday.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. STOPPING SUBBAN
In his sixth game since missing 19 with an upper body injury, defenceman P.K. Subban had a couple of assists and played just under 15 minutes. He’ll be primed for the hometown stage and not be fazed by the usual verbal abuse he gets here from his days with the visiting Canadiens.
2. A TUNESMITH
Craig Smith’s two goals against the Habs increased his point streak to five games and he’s scored in three straight for Nashville. Last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners keep finding their way offensively despite injuries.
3. HEAVY HITTERS
Toronto gets another challenge from a team on the heavier side, even though both clubs rank low in league hits. But if the Leafs can attack with the same speed as Saturday, as well as get the puck out of harm’s way quickly, it can counter the Preds’ strengths.
4. PLAY IT AGAIN?
The Leafs have have a record of 5-1 against the Preds the past three seasons and don’t think coach Peter Laviolette doesn’t keep track. If Nashville has an obvious concern, it’s their poorly ranked power play, 0-for-2 on Saturday.
5. THIRD IS THE WORD
Both these teams are at the top of the league with wins when leading after two periods, Nashville at 21, tied with Tampa Bay, Toronto one behind.
MAPLE LEAFS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Andreas Johnsson John Tavares Mitch Marner
Patrick Marleau Auston Matthews William Nylander
Connor Brown Nazem Kadri Kasperi Kapanen
Par Lindholm Frederick Gauthier Trevor Moore
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Morgan Rielly Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott Igor Ozhiganov
GOALIES
Michael Hutchinson
Kasimir Kaskisuo
Sick Bay
G Frederik Andersen (groin)
G Garret Sparks (concussion)
LW Zach Hyman (ankle)
RW Tyler Ennis (ankle)
PREDATORS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Ryan Hartman Ryan Johansen Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala Calle Jarnkrok Craig Smith
Miikka Salomaki Nick Bonino Austin Watson
Phil Di Giuseppe Frederick Gaudreau Rocco Grimaldi
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Roman Josi Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm P.K. Subban
Dan Hamhuis Anthony Bitetto
GOALIES
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
SICK BAY
Filip Forsberg (upper body)
Colton Sissons (lower body)
Yannick Weber (undisclosed)
Kyle Turris (lower body)
SPECIAL TEAMS
POWER PLAY
Toronto 22.9% (8th)
Nashville 14.6% (28th)
PENALTY KILLING
Toronto 80.4% (15th)
Nashville 81.5% (10th)
