Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking for Much Needed Win Against the Anaheim Ducks

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking for Much Needed Win Against the Anaheim Ducks

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 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center

(17) falls to the ice as he battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman

(51) in front of goalie

(45) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (22-18-3) @ Anaheim Ducks (27-10-6) 10:00 p.m. Sportsnet.

The Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2 in their last meeting.

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Leafs Injury Report

Joffrey Lupul is out with a lower-body injury.
Peter Holland is out with a lower-body injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Ducks Injury Report

Eric Brewer is out with a broken foot.

Sheldon Souray is out with a torn right wrist ligament.

Line Combinations (Ducks)

Game Preview

Jan 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center

(71) pursues as Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

(81) takes the puck down ice in the third period of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a hard-fought effort against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Leafs will look for a better result against a Ducks team who they have had a lot of success against. The Leafs have won six straight games against the Ducks, but Anaheim have won 11 of their past 15 games at home. A reason for this has been the recent emergence of prospect Rickard Rakell, who scored four points against the Winnipeg Jets.

Dec 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing

(21) poke checks Anaheim Ducks center

(44) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs have been praised with the improvements made under interim Head Coach Peter Horachek. They have allowed an average of 22 shots in the the past three games, which is better than their season average of 34. However the Ducks did have 47 shots on goal the last time they played the Leafs and that was without star winger Corey Perry.

It will likely be Jonathan Bernier and Frederik Andersen as the goaltending matchup.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Dec 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) prepares to shoot the puck as Anaheim Ducks center

(15) looks on at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs ANA: 7 GP – 6 goals – 6 assists – 12 PTS

James Van Riemsdyk career vs ANA: 5 GP – 0 goals – 5 assist – 5 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs ANA: 5 GP – 5 goals – 4 assists – 9 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs ANA: 3 GP – 1 goal – 0 assists – 1 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs ANA: 7 GP- Record:  5-1-1 2.01 GAA- .930 SV% 

Anaheim Ducks

Dec 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) turns and skates away against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Ducks 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Getzlaf career vs TOR: 6 GP – 0 goals – 6 assists – 6 PTS

Corey Perry career vs TOR: 7 GP- 4 goals- 4 assists- 8 PTS

Ryan Kesler career vs TOR: 14 GP- 6 goal- 7 assists- 13 PTS

Frederik Anderson career vs TOR: 2 GP- Record: 0-2 4.07 GAA- .837 SV% 

Keys to Victory

Jan 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie

(31) looks on as Los Angeles Kings defenseman

(27) defends Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

(71) in front of the net in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Leafs have played better defensively, they got off to a slow start against the Los Angeles Kings, who dominated with their physicality, leading to an early goal. The Leafs need to somehow find a way to get off to a good start against the Ducks.

David Clarkson has not had much of an impact on the game, especially with some untimely penalties. Hopefully, coaching staff can find a way to get through to Clarkson and he can provide some physicality and simply give the Leafs a boost.

Mar 10, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) battles with Anaheim Ducks defenseman

(23) for the puck during the third period at Honda Center. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs will experience some tough times with their offence, as they try to get their forwards to focus on defence as well. Hopefully the offence can find a spark against Anaheim, especially with their recent success against the Ducks.

Kadri will likely be matched up against Getzlaf and it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back after a tough game against the Kings, where he had to go up against Anze Kopitar. Kadri needs to try and bring physicality especially on the forecheck and make sure that he does not get caught out of position in the defensive zone.

Given their record against the Ducks, the Leafs will have more confidence going into this game, but they have to be aware of Anaheim’s recent success at home. If they catch Andersen off his game and Bernier plays like his usual self, the Leafs should come away with the victory.