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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Winnipeg Jets Touchdown for Saturday Night Clash

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Winnipeg Jets Touchdown for Saturday Night Clash

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.

Apr 5, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) carries the puck past Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (21) at the Air Canada Centre. Winnipeg defeated Toronto 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Winnipeg Jets (30-20-10) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (23-31-5) @ 7:00 p.m. CBC

The Leafs are 0-1 against the Jets this season.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Dion Phaneuf is out with a hand injury

Joffrey Lupul is probable with a knee injury

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Jets Injury Report

Matthieu Perreault is out with a lower-body injury

Jay Harrison is out with an upper-body injury

Matt Halischuk is doubtful with an undisclosed injury

Game Preview

Jan 3, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle reacts to the action in the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

The last time the Leafs played the Jets Randy Carlyle was still the coach and the Leafs had a 21-15-3 record. Fast forward to today where the Leafs have only managed four wins in their last 28 games and the talk of rebuilding which was kick started by a disappointing effort in Winnipeg. The never ending hope that the Leafs continue to tank for a better draft pick has started to take its effect on the players and the fans. Although the Leafs have not been totally outplayed in their recent slump they have not put forth the effort to win either. This was evident last night against the Carolina Hurricanes where the top players for the Hurricanes stepped up and outplayed the Leafs top players. A positive was Brandon Kozun scoring his first goal in a great solo effort which is encouraging to see but it is only these types of players giving their best effort.

Jan 3, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (33) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) in the second period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets made headlines recently when they traded Evander Kane to the Buffalo Sabres which saw Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford make their way to the Jets. Now Perrault’s injury will most likely force Dustin Byfuglien to move back to forward unless the Sabres make a move to fill that hole in their top six. Winnipeg is in a vulnerable spot with only four points separating them and the Los Angeles Kings for a wild card spot (LA has three games in hand on Winnipeg). Coming off a 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals so Toronto will have a tough time keeping the Jets grounded.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jan 3, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) controls the puck against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs WPG: 29 GP – 17 goals – 13 assists – 30 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs WPG: 14 GP- 1 goal- 8 assists- 9 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs WPG 16 GP- 2 goals- 8 assists- 10 PTS

Cody Franson career vs WPG: 12 GP- 1 goal- 4 assists- 5 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs WPG: 2 GP– Record: 0-0-2, 1.26 GAA – .950 SV%

James Reimer career vs WPG: 10 GP- Record: 3-3-1, 3.03 GAA- .908 SV%

Winnipeg Jets

Jan 25, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Dustin Byfuglien (33) celebrates his game-winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Ladd career vs TOR: 23 GP- 8 goals- 11 assists- 19 PTS

Dustin Byfuglien career vs TOR: 12 GP- 3 goals- 10 assists- 13 PTS

Blake Wheeler career vs TOR: 27 GP- 12 goals- 9 assists- 21 PTS

Mark Scheifele career vs TOR: 3 GP- 2 goals- 0 assists- 2 PTS

Michael Hutchinson career vs TOR: 1 GP- Record: 1-0, 1.00 GAA, .952 SV%

Keys to Victory

Feb 20, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) slips past the check of the Carolina Hurricanes forward Victor Rask (49) during the 3rd period at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

There is a reason why the Leafs have not found a way to win. The top line have not had an impact on the game and it is not enough to expect the depth players to keep supporting them. Sure the Leafs were able to beat the Edmonton Oilers with their depth players but it’s the Oilers! They have as many problems as the Leafs, but that should be no excuse for the  Leafs’ top players to not give their best effort.

The Jets are an aggressive team that tries to punish teams in their own zone. The best way for the Leafs to take advantage of it is by moving the puck quickly in the offensive zone and try to create space.

Jan 3, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Coates-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets try to cut into the slot and throw everything on net, the Leafs need to try to keep Winnipeg to the outside and avoid getting caught flat-footed. This is especially important for whoever plays in net because the Jets will not lay off the pressure especially when they are playing to keep the playoff spot.

This is a good chance for the Leafs to show that there is still some will and hope for this team to try to put forth a strong effort because the Jets will not show the Leafs any mercy tonight.

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