Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking for High Flying Offence Against the Winnipeg Jets

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking for High Flying Offence Against the Winnipeg Jets

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.

Toronto Maple Leafs (21-15-3) @ Winnipeg Jets (19-12-7) 7:00 p.m. CBC

Apr 5, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward

(21) tries to screen Winnipeg Jets goaltender

(31) on a shot at the Air Canada Centre. Winnipeg defeated Toronto 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs went 0-1-1 against the Jets last season.

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Leafs Injury Report

Nazem Kadri is doubtful with a lower-body injury.

Joffrey Lupul is out with a lower-body injury.

Peter Holland is out with an upper-body injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Jets Injury Report

Zach Bogosian is doubtful with a lower-body injury.

Toby Enstrom is out with a lower-body injury.

Evander Kane is probable with a lower-body injury.

Mark Stuart is out with a lower-body injury.

Jacob Trouba is doubtful with an upper-body injury.

Game Preview

Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie

(35) makes a save in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs went limping into Minnesota without Lupul, Holland and Kadri, who all suffered injuries against the Boston Bruins. It was a better effort for the Leafs as they out shot the Wild 35-29, but they did not have as many high quality scoring chances as their opponents.

Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) takes a shot on goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

With Kadri and Holland likely out for at least a week (Holland possibly longer) they now have to rely on their depth more than ever. However, losing two thirds of your second line is not going to be easy for the Leafs to get over. Normally, if Kadri was out then Holland would take his place, but now the responsibility will lie with Daniel Winnik to center a line with  David Clarkson and Leo Komarov. This could change with possibly moving Mike Santorelli or Komarov to play at centre.

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

(22) is checks by the Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen

(12) during the 2nd period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Stephane Robidas was scratched for his third straight since playing against the Dallas Stars. This could be related to his leg injury and Randy Carlyle not wanting to take any chances in over-using Robidas. Plus, with the Leafs carrying an extra defenceman it affords them the opportunity to sit one, especially with games on back-to-back nights.

Dec 31, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Islanders forward

(27) celebrate after his goal during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre Islanders wins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets are trying to get over their own issues at the moment. The loss to the New York Islanders gave them their second straight loss and their third straight at home, allowing 12 goals during that three-game skid. It could be a good opportunity for the Leafs to try and get over their struggles.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Phil Kessel career vs WPG: 29 GP – 17 goals – 13 assists – 30 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs WPG: 14 GP- 1 goal- 8 assists- 9 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs WPG 16 GP- 2 goals- 8 assists- 10 PTS

Cody Franson career vs WPG: 12 GP- 1 goal- 4 assists- 5 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs WPG: 2 GP– Record: 0-0-2, 1.26 GAA – .950 SV%

James Reimer career vs WPG: 10 GP- Record: 3-3-1, 3.03 GAA- .908 SV%

Winnipeg Jets

Ondrej Pavelec career vs TOR: 12 GP- Record: 9-4-2, 3.03 GAA- .901 SV%

Evander Kane career vs TOR: 13 GP- 3 goals- 1 assist- 4 PTS

Andrew Ladd career vs TOR: 22 GP- 8 goals- 9 assists- 17 PTS

Dustin Byfuglien career vs TOR: 11 GP- 2 goals- 9 assists- 11 PTS

Blake Wheeler career vs TOR: 26 GP- 12 goals- 8 assists- 20 PTS

Mathieu Perreault career vs TOR: 9 GP- 4 goals- 0 assists- 4 PTS

Keys to Victory

Dec 23, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing

(13) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman

(23) fight during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs need to find a way to expose the various injuries the Jets are dealing with, especially on defence. They recently traded for Jay Harrison from the Carolina Hurricanes – not exactly a prime shutdown player, but the Jets desperately needed help.

Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (21) plays the puck along the boards in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Carlyle may want to break up the top line by putting JVR on the second line and moving up either Santorelli or Winnik. Kessel and Bozak cannot play more than 25 minutes a night like they did against the Minnesota Wild. The offence has cooled down considerably and if this team wants to avoid going into a deep slump, they have to try and get over these recent injuries.

Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie

(45) makes a save in the third period against the Minnesota Wild right wing

(14) at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

With the offence struggling at the moment the emphasis on defence and goaltending could not be more important than right now – especially with the injuries they have at centre. They did a better job against the Wild, but they still need to cut down on the number of high quality scoring chances they give up.

Dec 31, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Fans hold up signs before the game between the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Islanders at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

The crowd in Winnipeg will be loud and annoying. The last time the Leafs visited Winnipeg, Reimer and Dion Phaneuf were heckled the whole game. The best way to deal with the crowd is to try and take control of the game early and do not give the fans any momentum, because one slight change to the game and the crowd will be supporting their team in full force.

Apr 5, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward

(15) carries the puck past Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson (71) during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Pavelec did not get off to the best start this season and out of all positions, the Jets are weakest in goal. The Leafs have done a decent job at getting to goalies early, but they need to keep pressuring the whole game. However, rookie Michael Hutchinson could get the call in net, after Pavelec started last night. Hutchinson has been solid this season, posting a 9-3-2 record with a 1.87 GAA and a .937 SV%.

Apr 5, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman

(3) battle for position at the Air Canada Centre. Winnipeg defeated Toronto 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

If the Leafs let the crowd get to them early and they have a sluggish start, then it will be a rough night for them. Toronto have a more talented team, but if their is one thing that the Jets do well under Paul Maurice, it is that they battle the entire game, something the Leafs still need to work on.