Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Final Game Before the All Star Break

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Final Game Before the All Star Break

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.

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center

(24, right) celebrates his goal with teammates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (22-22-3) @ Ottawa Senators (18-18-8): 7:00 p.m Sportsnet

The Leafs beat the Senators 5-3 in their last game.

Leafs Injury Report

Peter Holland is out with an upper-body injury.

Joffrey Lupul is out with a lower-body injury.

Leo Komarov is doubtful with a shoulder injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Senators Injury Report

Mark Borowiecki is out with a leg injury.

Zack Smith is out with an upper-body injury.

Projected Line Combinations(Senators)

Game Preview

Jan 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) makes a save on Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The good news for the Leafs is that they got a goal. The bad news is their opponent scored four goals (one on an empty net). The feeling within Leafs Nation is one of frustration and confusion, looking at a team that was once a pretty good offensive team to one that has two goals in their last five games. Monday night, the jersey tossing went to a new level with three jerseys being tossed – insert joke about more jerseys being tossed than Leafs goals being scored – leading to arrests by Toronto Police.

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) is knocked off the puck by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Senators have also been through a tough time this season. Since firing coach Paul MacLean, they have gone 7-7-3 with marginal improvements in possession numbers and shots against, but nothing too drastic. Both the Leafs and Sens will most likely look for a decent draft pick this upcoming offseason, rather than make a desperate attempt to qualify for the playoffs and either barely make it or miss out on a top 12 pick in the draft. However, the “Battle of Ontario” has always been entertaining and has provided some classic moments, so it would not be a surprise to see a high-spirited effort from both teams regardless of their struggles.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Apr 12, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) stops with the puck away from Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs OTT: 47 GP- 25 goals- 21 assists- 46 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs OTT: 24 GP- 9 goals- 10 assists- 19 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs OTT: 12 GP- 8 goals- 5 assists- 13 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs OTT: 20 GP- 9 goals- 9 assists- 18 PTS

James Reimer career vs OTT: 14 GP- Record: 10-2-1, 2.05 GAA- .942 SV%

Jonathan Bernier career vs OTT: 2 GP- Record: 2-0, 1.92 GAA- .927 SV%

Ottawa Senators

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Peter Holland (24) chases Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Karlsson’s career vs TOR: 20 GP- 2 goals- 9 assists- 11 PTS

Clarke MacArthur‘s career vs TOR: 25 GP- 2 goals- 6 assists- 8 PTS 

Kyle Turris career vs TOR: 15 GP- 3 goals- 4 assists- 7 PTS

Bobby Ryan’s career vs TPR: 7 GP- 1 goals- 3 assists- 4 PTS

Craig Anderson‘s career vs TOR: 16 GP- 7 wins- 6 loss- 2.70 GAA- .920 sv%

Robin Lehner career vs TOR: 2 GP- Record: 1-1, 3.55 GAA- .873 SV%

Keys to Victory

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing David Clarkson (71) scores against Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (41) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs have yet to score the first goal in a game in the Peter Horachek era. Obviously the players will feel more confident if they can get a goal early, whether it is a nice goal, a rebound, a shot deflected or even a weird bounce at this point – as long as the puck goes in, it would be a blessing. When the Leafs get scored on first, it brings on this feeling of “here we go again”. Then the team loses confidence, so it would be interesting to see if the team can actually find a way to battle through it.

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43), right wing Phil Kessel (81) and Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21)celebrate a goal during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Putting Bozak, van Riemsdyk and Kessel on the same line has not worked out this season, yet the team feels like if they cannot get offence, so they continue to reunite them. I did mention that the Leafs should consider putting Kessel and Kadri together and it looks like the Leafs are going to let it happen. Kessel and Kadri were on the same line at practice yesterday, so it will be interesting to see if the coaching staff tries to stick with it.

Jan 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf (3) fights with Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) as Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) looks on at the Air Canada Centre. Carolina defeated Toronto 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

It has not been an easy time for Dion Phaneuf, who made a nice hit on Jordan Staal then fought Eric Staal on the same shift. Unfortunately, Phaneuf’s play did not motivate his teammates.However, if he can continue to play like he did against Carolina then he might be able to motivate his teammates to play with more intensity.

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) makes a save on shot from Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Reimer should get the start in Ottawa, where he has been dominant. He played well against the Hurricanes and if he can continue his solid play, then he might earn more starts and increase his trade value, although I cannot see the Leafs dealing right now. If the Leafs want to win tonight, then whoever starts in net will have to play lights out to give their teammates a chance to get some confidence early in the game and get a win before the All Star Break.