The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the New Jersey Devils tonight. Both teams are trying to gain momentum in various ways. The Maple Leafs, who were on a very decent scoring streak until their defensive effort against the playoff-bound Carolina Hurricanes, will try to spark an offense that couldn’t beat former Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen. The Blue and White dropped a close 2-1 contest in Carolina.
Meanwhile, the Devils are riding high after a convincing 4-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday night. According to Daily Faceoff, the Devils’ starting goalies are Kaapo Kahkonen and the Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll. However, both are marked as unverified.
Item 1: Three Things Fans Should Look For
When these clubs face off, spectators should be aware of many critical factors. First, can Toronto return to scoring? Prior to the Hurricanes’ shutdown, the team had scored at least three goals in six consecutive games. Furthermore, the depth scoring increased their contributions. Fans should be excited to watch if the Maple Leafs score first and continue to score goals in tonight’s game. If they want to win, they will have to put greater pressure on the Devils’ goalie.
Second, the Maple Leafs’ special teams have struggled. The Maple Leafs were 0-for-4 on the power play in their last game, while the Devils had a good penalty-killing performance against the Islanders. Keep an eye on the special teams in this competition.
Third, the situation with Ilya Samsonov is uncertain, thus Woll will once again play an important role in determining the fate of this game. He performed admirably in his most recent game against the Hurricanes, making 41 saves. Can he keep up that level of play? On the other end of the rink, Kahkonen earned his first shutout of the season against the Devils. Could the Blue and White face their second goaltender battle in a row?
Item 2: Has John Tavares Been Reenergized by Playing with Kids?
John Tavares, the Maple Leafs captain, has been on a scoring tear recently. Almost every other Maple Leaf, including him, was held scoreless in Sunday night’s loss to Carolina. However, it was the first time in five games that he did not record a point, after three goals and seven assists in the previous four.
Tavares’ point production this season is unlikely to surpass prior seasons, but fans can see why he could be an essential member of the club in the future. He is assisting in the creation of scoring opportunities while working with a young bunch of players on the rise.
Tavares has 23 goals and 33 assists (56 points) in 68 games, a good 0.82 points-per-game pace that is just lower than his career average. When Mitch Marner was healthy, he was assigned to the third line and the second power play unit. He has since returned to his usual place on the second line and the first power-play unit.
What may be more intriguing is his role as a mentor to his rookie linemates, which include Matt Knies, Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, and Pontus Holmberg. Perhaps these modifications have reenergized the experienced Maple Leafs captain.
As the playoffs near, Tavares’ revival bodes well for the Maple Leafs. Head coach Sheldon Keefe, as usual, is experimenting with line combinations in order to maximize player chemistry and prepare for the postseason. Tavares will play a significant role in the upcoming challenges.
Item 3: How Far Is Mitch Marner From Game Action?
Mitch Marner’s prognosis is unknown as he heals from a severe ankle injury. He has been sidelined for the past seven games. Despite rumors that he was making good progress last week, the prognosis now appears overly optimistic. Marner’s absence raises questions about the severity of his injury.
The squad has had a recent history of high ankle sprains, and the results have not been beneficial. Both Timothy Liljegren and Woll had longer recuperation periods than predicted. Perhaps this has made the Maple Leafs more cautious, or perhaps there is no urgency to bring him back, considering the team’s strong position in the Atlantic Division.
As long as the club wins critical games, anticipate the lineup to stay full of young players who could become future members of the squad. It’s good to see them receive a chance to shine. While Marner still has time to relax and recover, it may become increasingly crucial for him to regain his fitness before the playoffs.
What’s next for the Maple Leafs?
Is it just me, or do things seem a little quiet on the Samsonov injury front? He missed this morning’s skate and is still battling with an undisclosed problem that will keep him out of the lineup.
Samsonov has looked sharp recently, going 3-1-1 in his previous five games. His 3.01 goals-against average isn’t very impressive, but he’s been reliable and comfortable in the crease. Woll is expected to start tonight, with Martin Jones serving as backup.
It’ll be intriguing to watch when Samsonov is ready to return to action. The second, more minor question, is if he will recover his job as the team’s starting goalie.
