Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking for Revenge Against the Nashville Predators
Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking for Revenge Against the Nashville Predators
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 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Richard Panik (18) interferes with Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) as defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) defends during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Toronto Maple Leafs (22-25-4) @ Nashville Predators (32-11-6), 8:00 p.m.
TSN
The Leafs
got humiliated
lost 9-2 to the Predators in their last meeting.
Leafs Injury Report
Dion Phaneuf out with a hand injury
Stephane Robidas questionable with an upper-body injury
Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)
Leafs practice lines:
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 2, 2015
JVR-Bozak-Kessel
Winnik-Kadri-Lupul
Komarov-Holland-Clarkson
Booth-Santorelli-Panik
No sign of Smith
Bernier starts tomorrow at Preds
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 2, 2015
Predators Injury Report
Pekka Rinne doubtful with a knee injury
Ryan Ellis out with a lower-body injury
Game Preview
Nov 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Nashville Predators forward Taylor Beck (41) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mike Santorelli (25) watches a goal by Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (not pictured) against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) at the Air Canada Centre. Nashville defeated Toronto 9-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
It was 77 days ago, but for most Leafs fans it feels like yesterday. The Leafs were looking to rebound from a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo sabres but that was not what happened. Instead the Leafs got pummeled by the Predators 9-2 in one of the worst loses in recent memory. The game was supposed to be a wakeup call for a Leafs team that was trending in the wrong direction. This led to Randy Carlyle‘s dismissal and now the growing pains under new bench boss Peter Horachek. Now the Leafs make the trip to Nashville looking to get out of a slump that has been one of the worst offensive months in team history.
Jan 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (9) skates the puck across the blue line during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Predators are having no problems scoring under new head coach Peter Laviolette with 2.96 goals per game (seventh in the league) lead by rookie Filip Forsberg with 44 points in 49 games. Whether or not they can continue to provide enough offence that will get them far into the playoffs is still left to be seen but for now they lead the Central Division and hope that they get goaltender Pekka Rinne back from injury soon.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Nov 21, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) faces off against Nashville Predators center Paul Gaustad (28) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Kessel career vs NSH: 8 GP – 2 goals – 4 assists – 6 PTS
Nazem Kadri career vs NSH: 4 GP – 2 goals – 2 assists – 4 PTS
Joffrey Lupul career vs PHI: 17 GP – 5 goals – 2 assists – 7 PTS
Tyler Bozak career vs NSH: 5 GP- 1 goals-2 assists- 3 PTS
Jonathan Bernier career vs NSH: 11 GP- Record: 8-3 2.14 GAA- .926 SV%
Nashville Predators
Nov 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber (6) keeps Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (21) away from the front of the net during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Ribeiro career vs TOR: 33 GP- 14 goals- 16 assists- 30 PTS
Colin Wilson career vs TOR: 5 GP- 1 goal- 3 assists- 4 PTS
James Neal career vs TOR: 14 GP- 6 goals- 5 assists- 11 PTS
Shea Weber career vs TOR: 8 GP- 1 goal- 5 assists- 6 PTS
Filip Forsberg career vs TOR: 2 GP- 1 goal- 1 assists- 2 PTS
Carter Hutton career vs TOR: (No record) 12 GP- Record: 23-16-8, 2.64 GAA, .907 SV% (this season)
Keys to Victory
Nov 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov (47) hits Nashville Predators forward Colin Wilson (33) during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The main reason why the Leafs lost that game against the Predators was because they turned over the puck constantly. It was documented that the Leafs had over 30 giveaways which is totally unacceptable. If the Leafs want to keep the Predators off the score sheet they have to limit the mistakes especially in the neutral zone.
Jan 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) makes a save against Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Maple Leafs, 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Leafs have had their chances to score but nothing wants to enter the net. It seems like the core players were relying on the depth players to carry the play for the majority of the season. In the month of January the offence had nothing going for them, Bozak had three points, Kadri had three Kessel had four, and Clarkson had two. The only player that actually produced this month was JVR who had eight points in 13 games. The offence has to use their speed to get pucks to the net and generate a rebound or a decent shot attempt.
Jan 30, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Marek Mazanec (39) blocks a shot during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Predators defence is one of the best in the league so the Leafs will have to find a way to catch them off guard which will be difficult for them. The best thing that the Leafs probably have going for them now is that a lot of teams will underestimate them with the struggles that the team is going through. If that happens tonight the Leafs need to make sure that the Predators put forth their best effort.