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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking to Bully the Philadelphia Flyers

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: looking to Bully the Philadelphia Flyers

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.

Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman

Jake Gardiner

(51) and Philadelphia Flyers forward Brandon Alderson (64) battle for the puck during the first period at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Philadelphia 4-0.Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Flyers (11-14-6) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (19-10-3) 7:00 p.m. CBC

Leafs went 2-1 against the Flyers last season.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Leo Komarov is doubtful with a concussion.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Flyers Injury Report

Kimmo Timonen out with blood clots
Ryan White out with a groin injury

Line Combinations (Flyers)

Game Preview

Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen

Justin Faulk

(27) scores a 1st period goal past the Toronto Maple Leafs goalie

Jonathan Bernier

(45) at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

I think the Leafs are sick and tired of hearing about how that game against the Carolina Hurricanes was a trap game. Simply put the Leafs did not look good and it has to be frustrating for Leafs fans because this team goes from beating elite teams in the league to losing against one of the worst teams in the league. The worst part was that Carolina dominated the Leafs from the start and you just knew after the first five minutes that it was not going to be Toronto’s night. They were out shot 16-9 down 2-0 after the first period, coming into the game the Hurricanes were one of the worst offensive teams in the league. The Hurricanes dominated the faceoff circle winning 46 faceoffs versus the Leafs who only won 22, Jay McClemment won 84% of his faceoffs. The most number that really illustrated the Leafs struggles was that the Hurricanes had 11 takeaways which is inexcusable.

Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Chris Terry (25) celebrates his 1st period goal past the Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Hurricanes did a good job establishing dominance early in the game. Their defence jumped in at the right time, the forwards protected the puck and they got positioning in front of the net. The Leafs were unable to stop the Hurricane’s counter attack, Jake Gardiner had a tough time reading the play in his own net especially when he tried to play baseball. If you keep on making errors in our own end expect the other team to score on you easily, Eric Staal‘s goal was a great example, he did a good job to fight off the defender and put the puck on net where Gardiner had a chance to tie up his man but was caught puck watching. When the Leafs made errors they did not try to hustle back and defend the counter attack then they could not establish a proper cycle in the Hurricane’s zone until late in the second period.

Dec 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) scores a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) during the shootout at Wells Fargo Center. The Panthers defeated the Flyers, 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

With all the errors made it is not unreasonable to ask whether the Leafs go some luck in their six game winning streak. Every team tries to get lucky when they can but what the Leafs need to do is try to play smarter without the puck. Against the Flyers the tough task will be to stop a high-powered offence which is showcased by Jakub Voracek. Surprisingly Voracek has been on fire this season scoring 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points. Unfortunately the Flyers have struggled defensively which has a lot of expensive players that have not contributed to the expectations that were set for them. Former Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn has been a healthy scratch at times this season, lately he has improved but he still has a long way to go before he gets back to his rookie season form.

Sep 23, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn (22) shoves Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mike Santorelli (25) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Philadelphia 4-0. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

This is what coach Craig Berube had to say about Schenn. “Luke’s playing like he can,” he said. “He’s defending well and moving the puck and getting it up to the forwards. He’s making good decisions, and he’s a physical player. He does a lot of dirty work out there for us and that’s when he’s a good player _ blocking shots, defending, being hard on people.” People in Toronto know that Schenn was having a real hard time in his own end and he started making too many errors with the puck that always put him in a bad spot. I liked the type of game that Schenn brought to the Leafs but at the same time he gave us great value in the trade for James van Riemsdyk. It will be interesting to see how the Leafs respond from this loss against a Flyers team that is dealing with their own struggles. Randy Carlyle did change some lines at practice but as we saw earlier in the season any line changes are usually not set in stone.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Phil Kessel career vs PHI: 28 GP – 4 goals – 8 assists – 12 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs PHI: 8 GP – 1 goals – 4 assists – 5 PTS

Joffrey Lupul career vs PHI: 10 GP – 3 goals – 7 assists – 10 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs PHI: 6 GP- 3 goals-0 assists- 3 PTS

Dion Phaneuf career vs PHI: 19 GP – 2 goals – 10 assists – 12 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs PHI: 4 GP- Record:  2-2 3.92 GAA- .877 SV% 

James Reimer career vs PHI: 5 GP- Record: 2-3, 3.23 GAA- .903 SV% 

Philadelphia Flyers

Mar 28, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) scores a goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Maple Leafs, 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Claude Giroux career vs TOR: 20 GP- 6 goals- 13 assists- 19 PTS

Wayne Simmonds career vs TOR: 13 GP- 5 goals- 2 assists- 7 PTS

Jakub Voracek career vs TOR: 11 GP- 3 goals- 5 assists- 8 PTS

Steve Mason career vs TOR: 7 GP- Record: 3-3-1. 3.64 GAA- .878 SV%

Ray Emery career vs TOR: 12 GP (9 GS) Record: 5-3-2, 3.08 GAA- .905 SV%

Keys to Victory

Sep 22, 2014; London, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Peter Holland (24) pushes Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jason Akeson (42) off the puck in the third period at Budweiser Gardens. Maple Leafs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers are a great offensive team that will use their skill in the offensive zone to create scoring chances. The Leafs will have to avoid chasing the puck and try to cover open players in the defensive zone.

Dec 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) falls to the ice as he battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) in front of goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Gardiner needs to have a bounce back game for the Leafs. One thing he has to avoid doing is trying to bat the puck out of the air. TSN analyst Aaron Ward even said that all defenceman should worry about playing the puck below the shoulders there is no reason why Gardiner has to reach up and touch the puck. Part of me thinks that whatever Gardiner might be dealing with has to be mental because it seems like when he has to cover someone one on one he looks intimidated.

Dec 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) reacts after allowing a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers defence and goaltending is really struggling this season and if there is one thing the Leafs do well it is that they know how to take advantage of bad goaltending and defence. The Leafs need to work on their cycle game and know where to put the puck around and when the defence should pinch in and when they have to back off.

Dec 18, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Zach Boychuk (22) is checks by the Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Stephane Robidas (12) during the 2nd period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

I would like to see the defence hold the blue line and try to keep the Flyers from entering the zone easily. Stephane Robidas laid a huge hit on Zach Boychuk as he entered the zone. If the Leafs defence can play with that toughness it could go a long way to containing the Flyers.

If the Leafs can be aware of the Flyers’ counter attack and try to play more toughness then they have a chance to rebound from a terrible loss to the Hurricanes.

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