Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Trying to Tame the Minnesota Wild
Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Trying to Tame the Minnesota Wild
We have all waited patiently and now it is time to drop the puck on a new season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here at the Tip of the Tower we strive to give you as much content on your Toronto sports teams as humanly possible. This series will preview every single Toronto Maple Leafs game and what you should know for the game that night.
Nov 13, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) scores the game-winning shootout goal on Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs (21-14-3) @ Minnesota Wild (17-14-4) 8:00 p.m. Sportsnet.
The Leafs went 1-1 against the Wild last season.
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Leafs Injury Report
Richard Panik is questionable with an upper-body injury.
Joffrey Lupul is out with a lower-body injury.
Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)
Wild Injury Report
Keith Ballard is out with a concussion.
Jonas Brodin is questionable with an upper-body injury.
Mikael Granlund is out with an injured wrist.
Jason Zucker is questionable with an illness.
Game Preview
Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) scores the winning goal on Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the shootout at TD Banknorth Garden. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Leafs finally got over their losing ways against the Boston Bruins, with a 4-3 win in a shootout. Jonathan Bernier made his return from the flu, which kept him out of the line-up the past few games. But as they got Leo Komarov back from a concussion, Lupul went down with an injury against the Bruins that has sent him to injured reserve.
Dec 27, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) passes the puck during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center. The Jets won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
The Wild have been up and down this season, receiving great goaltending from Darcy Kuemper and stellar defence from Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon and Brodin. Minnesota are a team that succeed with playing a possession game, but they do lack a strong offence that is needed to go for a long playoff run. That is why they signed Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek to big money contracts.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Phil Kessel career vs MIN: 28 GP – 5 goals – 11 assists – 16 PTS
James van Riemsdyk career vs MIN: 4 GP- 1 goals- 0 assists- 1 PTS
Tyler Bozak career vs MIN: 3 GP- 1 goal- 1 assist- 2 PTS
Nazem Kadri career vs MIN: 4 GP- 1 goals- 2 assists- 3 PTS
Jonathan Bernier career vs MIN: 7 GP– Record: 3-1-3, 1.11 GAA – .956 SV%
James Reimer career vs MIN: 2 GP- Record: 2-0, 0.50 GAA- .985 SV%
Minnesota Wild
Darcy Kuemper career vs TOR: 12 GP- Record:0-1, 5.56 GAA- .571 SV%
Niklas Backstrom career vs TOR: 5 GP- Record: 2-2, 2.40 GAA- .917 SV%
Ryan Suter career vs TOR: 8 GP- 1 goal 3 assists- 4 PTS
Mikko Koivu career vs TOR: 7 GP- 1 goal- 5 assists- 6 PTS
Zach Parise career vs TOR: 26 GP- 11 goals- 8 assists- 19 PTS
Thomas Vanek career vs TOR: 50 GP- 22 goals- 26 assists- 48 PTS
Keys to Victory
Nov 13, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie
Jonathan Bernier(45) makes a save in front of Minnesota Wild defenseman
Jared Spurgeon(46) and forward Zach Parise (11) at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Wild rely on the defence and goaltending to win games, especially with Suter playing an average of 28 minutes a night. The Leafs will have to find a way to generate offence from their depth players, because the top line will have a tough time with the Wild’s defence.
Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) attempts a shot with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Korbinian Holzer (55) defending during the 3rd period at TD Banknorth Garden. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
What is more important for the Leafs is that they do not rely on their goaltending to bail them out, especially because they have to play on back-to-back nights. If they get a couple of goals early, they cannot take a step back. They were guilty of doing that against the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning and we all know how the turned out.
The Wild do not typically allow a lot of shots to be directed at them, so the Leafs need to avoid being out-shot. They did a better job of that against the Bruins, but the Wild will take advantage of easy scoring chances.
It would be easy to say the Leafs could beat the Wild, which is a tough game, then lose against the Winnipeg Jets, who are not as good and are dealing with a lot of injuries.