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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Surging Columbus Blue Jackets Present Tough Test

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Surging Columbus Blue Jackets Present Tough Test

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.

Oct 31, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) scores a goal against Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Curtis McElhinney (30) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Leafs won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Columbus Blue Jackets (18-17-3) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (21-17-3), 7:30 p.m., TSN

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Peter Holland is out with an upper-body injury.

Joffrey Lupul is out with a lower-body injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Blue Jackets Injury Report

Artem Anisimov is out with a torn tricep.

Brian Gibbons is out with a knee injury.

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.

Boone Jenner is out with a back injury.

Ryan Murray is out with a knee injury.

Game Preview

Jan 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) reacts to giving up a goal to the Columbus Blue Jackets late in the third period at the Pepsi Center. The Blue Jackets defeated the Avalanche 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It does not get any easier for the Leafs as they face a surging Blue Jackets team that have won four in a row, six out of seven games on the road and hold a 12-2-1 record since December. The vibe in Columbus’ dressing room is at its highest point this season after overcoming injuries have been hurting this team since the start of the season.

Jan 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs interim head coach Peter Horachek (left) and assistant coach Steven Staios (right) on the bench with forward James van Riemsdyk (21) and forward Mike Santorelli (25) and forward Richard Panik (18) against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs did beat the Blue Jackets in their last game on Halloween night 4-1. However, they have not been able to play consistently, which has lead to this three-game losing streak and eight defeats out of their last ten. Although they out shot the Washington Capitals 33-26, timely mistakes and lazy play gave the Capitals easy scoring chances, which took the game out of reach in the third period.

Jonathan Bernier and Sergei Bobrovsky are the projected starters for tonight. Bernier has struggled since he picked up a shutout against the Dallas Stars. He has gone 1-2 with a 3.61 GAA since December 23rd.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Oct 31, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Daniel Winnik (26) celebrates his first goal of the season on a shot in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Leafs won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs CBJ: 9 GP- 4 goals- 4 assists- 8 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs CBJ: 7 GP- 1 goal- 4 assists- 5 PTS

Daniel Winnik career vs CBJ: 2 goals- 8 assists- 10 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs CBJ: 6 GP- Record: 3-2, 2.15 GAA- .925 SV%

James Reimer career vs CBJ: 2 GP- Record: 0-2, 4.37 GAA- .852 SV%

Columbus Blue Jackets

Mar 3, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Ryan Johansen (19) tries to get out of the way of shot on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Johansen career vs TOR: 5 GP- 4 goals- 2 assists- 6 PTS

Nick Foligno career vs TOR: 31 GP- 4 goals- 6 assists- 10 PTS

Scott Hartnell career vs TOR: 30 GP- 7 goals- 5 assists- 12 PTS

Sergei Bobrovsky career vs TOR: 6 GP- Record: 6-1, 1.72 GAA- .931 SV%

Curtis McElhinney career vs TOR: 2 GP- Record: 0-2, 3.94 GAA- .853 SV%

Keys to Victory for Toronto

Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson (71) and Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) look for the puck in the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs were not afraid of making line changes against the Capitals, with Peter Horachek trying a variety of combinations. He needs to make a change on the second powerplay unit, by removing David Clarkson. He has not produced on the power play and it is time to give a chance to someone who has earned it. Clarkson should probably be benched as well, considering how he has had no impact in the lineup. The message for him has to be that he needs to earn more minutes and if he does not put his best effort forward, he will not play.

Jan 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) sits on the ice after a goal by Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich (not pictured) at the Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 6-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Until the defence starts to improve, Bernier will have to try and stop the bleeding for the time being. Against the Capitals he did not get much help as a lot of goals were perfectly placed shots.

Dec 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) talks to right wing Phil Kessel (81) during a break in the action against the Anaheim Ducks at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Dion Phaneuf and Kessel need to find a way to energize this team – Kessel on offence and Phaneuf on defence. If both players continue to struggle, it will affect the way the team performs. They are the leaders on the ice and recently they have not been at their best.

Mar 3, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artem Anisimov (42) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jackets have a well-balanced offence that is dangerous, so the Leafs need to be aware of who is on the ice and watch players in the slot. Over the past few games, opposing players have been able to get open in the slot too easily and it has made it difficult on the goalies to keep the puck out.

This is a game that needs a response by the Leafs. Although a win would be nice, it would be even nicer to see them hold their opponents to under three goals, something they have not done since they played the Minnesota Wild last week.

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