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Toronto Maple Leafs: Exorcising Demons Against the New Jersey Devils

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs: Exorcising Demons Against the New Jersey Devils

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 4, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) celebrates his shorthanded goal in the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (22-23-3) @ New Jersey Devils (17-22-8), 7:30 p.m., Sportsnet

The Leafs lost 5-3 to the Devils in their last game. New Jersey has won the last two meetings with Toronto and is 2-0-2 in the past four games against the Leafs.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Leo Komarov is probable with an upper-body injury.

Peter Holland is probable with an upper-body injury

Joffrey Lupul is doubtful with a lower-body injury

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Devils Injury Report

Bryce Salvador out with a lower-body injury

Ryan Clowe out with a concussion

Jaromir Jagr probable with an illness

Stephen Gionta out with a lower-body injury

Damon Severson out with an ankle injury

Line Combinations (Devils)

Game Preview

Jan 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) makes a save on Ottawa Senators center Curtis Lazar (27) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the All-Star break the Leafs were struggling to find offence, as they have lost 14 of their last 17 games and look like a contender to land a top five pick in the NHL draft. Their last game against the Ottawa Senators offered a glimpse of hope that the offence could be returning with a three goal effort. The unfortunate part was that those three goals were not enough as the Leafs were close but unable to come back from a 3-0 first period deficit. If you have not watched Steve Dangle’s video reacting to the loss it is a great analysis on the overall struggles that the Leafs are going through.

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

The big challenge that awaits the Leafs is trying to play without captain Dion Phaneuf when it was announced that Phaneuf was going to miss time with an injury. There have been a lot of questions about Phaneuf’s leadership and why his teammates have not come to his defence recently. However this will be an opportunity for other players to step up, especially Cody Franson who will be a focal point of trade rumours from now until the trade deadline. On a positive note (if there any left) the Leafs will most likely get Komarov and Holland back from injury while Stephane Robidas and Joffrey Lupul statuses are still uncertain at this point.

Jan 19, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac (19) shoots the puck around San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Stalock (32) for a score during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Devils won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The Devils currently sit five points behind the Leafs but look like they are turning a corner, going 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Jagr and Ruutu look ready to return to the lineup in hopes that they can continue to provide offence. The Devils have averaged four or more goals in their past three games. With the Devils recently firing Peter DeBoer, GM Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens have taken on the coaching duties and will probably stay that way until the end of the season.

Expect Cory Schneider and Jonathan Bernier to be the goalies in net.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jan 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) skates past New Jersey Devils center Adam Henrique (14) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs NJ: 29 GP – 11  goals – 17 assist – 28 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs NJ:19 GP- 7 goals- 6 assists- 18 PTS

Cody Franson career vs NJ: 11 GP- 0 goals- 7 assists- 7 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs DAL: 4 GP – Record: 2-2  2.67 GAA – .910 SV%

James Reimer career vs NJ:8 GP- Record: 4-2-2, 2.35 GAA- .927 SV%

New Jersey Devils

Jan 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) stops Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) in close at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Cammalleri career vs TOR: 17 GP- 5 goals- 6 assists- 11 PTS

Patrik Elias career vs TOR: 52 GP- 15 goals- 18 assists- 33 PTS

Tuomo Ruutu career vs TOR: 23 GP- 5 goals- 12 assists- 17 PTS

Jaromir Jagr career vs TOR: 51 GP- 31 goals- 42 assists- 73 PTS

Cory Schneider career vs TOR: 3 GP: Record 2-0-2, 1.93 GAA- .926 SV%

Keys to Victory

Jan 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing David Clarkson (71) and Ottawa Senators right wing Alex Chiasson (90) jockey for position on a face-off in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Clearly starting the game without giving up the first goal would be a nice change of pace for the Leafs. Since Peter Horachek has taken over as coach the team has not scored the first goal in the game.

David Clarkson had his best game of the season against the Senators and while it has been a tough going for Clarkson it would be good to see if he can build off that game.

Jan 24, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Toews center Tyler Seguin (91) of the Dallas Stars races Team Foligno forward Phil Kessel (81) of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the fastest skater competition during the 2015 NHL All Star Game skills competition at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Kessel did escape all his issues while at the All-Star game being on the receiving end of some joking by his peers. While it looked like Kessel was not bothered by this it is not fun for Leafs fans to hear their team be mocked. The one thing Kessel has to be concerned about is scoring and hopefully he can try to spark the Leafs offence.

This is a good chance to see what the second half of the season holds for the team. Whether it is putting themselves in a decent position to pick in the top five or even the top three of the draft. For players that need a new contract, it is a good opportunity to either improve their trade value or give management some options when the offseason approaches.

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