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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Los Angeles King Tour Stops Off in Toronto

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Los Angeles Kings Tour Stops Off in Toronto

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.

Dec 11, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) carries the puck against the Los Angeles Kings at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Maple Leafs 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings (15-10-5) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (17-9-3) 5:00 p.m. Sportsnet.

The Leafs split their season series 1-1 with the Kings during the 2013-14 campaign.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Roman Polak is out with a knee injury.

Leo Komarov is doubtful with a concussion.

James Reimer is questionable with a groin injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Kings Injury Report

None.

Line Combinations (Kings)

Game Preview

Dec 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Cody Franson (4) knocks down Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg (40) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Detroit 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Pinch me – I must be dreaming. The Leafs beat an opponent without getting outshot, and have won four games in a row! Last night’s win against the Detroit Red Wings showed this team is capable of battling hard and playing the right way. They were aggressive, used their speed and moved the puck effectively. Now some also question whether the Red Wings were tired after playing three games in four nights.

Mar 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) scores past Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Later on this evening they have another tough test with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have struggled on the road this season, as they are trying to bounce back from a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday. In the two games against the Kings last season. it was argued that the Leafs played their best games of the season even though they only won one of the encounters.

Dec 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Richard Panik (18) scores on a breakaway on Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

One part of the Leafs success this season has been the spread out scoring from all four lines. Last night Richard Panik, Nazem Kadri, James van Reimsdyk and Morgan Rielly scored, while keeping the Red Wings top offensive players in check. Now it is time to prove that last night was not a one time thing, and that things are actually starting to improve. If James Reimer is good to go after suffering a minor groin injury in practice on Friday, then he will most likely start for the Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mar 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) makes a save on Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) during the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs LA: 7 GP – 4 goals – 3 assists – 7 PTS

James Van Riemsdyk career vs LA: 6 GP – 2 goals – 3 assist – 5 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs LA: 4 GP – 0 goals – 3 assists – 3 PTS

Dion Phaneuf career vs LA: 23 GP – 5 goal – 8 assists – 13 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs LA: 2 GP – 0 goals – 2 assists – 2 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs LA: 2 GP- Record:  0-1- 3.83 GAA- .849 SV% (did not complete last game against the Kings)

James Reimer career vs LA: 3 GP- Record: 2-0, 1.45GA- .962 SV% (made one relief appearance for Bernier)

Los Angeles Kings

Dec 11, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) tries to wrap the puck around from behind the net as Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones (31) and defenseman Drew Doughty (8) defend the net at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Maple Leafs 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Doughty  career vs TOR: 6 GP – 2 goals – 6 assists – 6 PTS

Anze Kopitar career vs TOR: 7 GP- 1 goal- 3 assists- 4 PTS

Jonathan Quick career vs TOR: 4 GP- Record: 2-2, 2.73 GAA- .907 SV%

Martin Jones career vs TOR: 1 GP- Record: 1-0 1.00 GAA- .974 SV%

Keys to Victory

Dec 11, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) hits Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs need to be ready for a physical game. The Kings have a reputation for trying to dominate their opponent with their size in hopes to wear them down. Toronto need to use their speed in order to move the puck quickly and try to get Los Angeles to chase them.

Dec 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf (3) keeps Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk (13) away from the net at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Detroit 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs still have to work on errors in defensive zone coverage where they either look lost or are caught standing still. If they try to get more active in their own zone by using their body to separate their opponent from the puck, it will cut down on having their opponent spend more time in their own zone. Also, the forwards need to be more active in the defensive zone and have to avoid being late to react. Datsyuk made a nice play on Bozak where he came from behind him and stripped the puck off him. It was subtle, but it did the job. Those are things that either Bozak or Kadri can do to help defensively.

Dec 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) skates against the Detroit Red Wings at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Detroit 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Rielly did an excellent job on his goal using his speed to catch the Red Wings off guard and just put one on net. If there is no shot available I would like to see Jake Gardiner and Rielly carry the puck in and start the cycle, rather than take a shot that is likely to be held by the goalie. If they have the defence on their heels then they need to pick their spot to shoot or pass off when they need to.

The Leafs will probably be a bit tired from last night, but I do expect them to come out with a solid effort. If the Leafs come out flat early on, expect Quick and the Kings to take over the game in a hurry.

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