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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking to End Road Woes Against the Florida Panthers

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Looking to End Road Woes Against the Florida Panthers

Feb 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) looks to pass the puck as Florida Panthers defenseman Steven Kampfer (3) defends during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

 Toronto Maple Leafs (25-33-7) @ Florida Panthers (28-22-13) , 7:30 p.m. TSN 

The Leafs lost their last game against the Panthers 3-2

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury

Trevor Smith is probable with a lower-body injury

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Panthers Injury Report

Willie Mitchell is out with an upper-body injury

Dave Bolland is out with an upper-body injury

Projected Line Combinations (Panthers)

Game Preview

Mar 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) scores a goal as Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Korbinian Holzer (55) defends in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The trade deadline has come and gone and it seemed like they were not any sensible deals when it came to selling off big name players. The Leafs did move out players for future assets, but now the challenge is to make sure the assets acquired work out in the future. On Monday they acquired Eric Brewer, Joakim Lindstrom and two draft picks for Korbinian Holzer and Olli Jokinen at the deadline. Right now the Leafs have to move past it and try to get a win on the road in 2015. They currently own a 16 game losing streak on the road, where the offence has not been firing on all cylinders.

Mar 1, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) reacts to a goal by Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (bottom) in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers made a big splash, acquiring Jaromir Jagr from the New Jersey Devils—insert age jokes here. However it seems like the younger Panthers squad has received a confidence boost with Jagr coming to the Sunshine state. They are within two points of the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot, with 19 games remaining.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Apr 10, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad (27) is checked along the boards by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tim Gleason (8) and center Nazem Kadri (43) in the third period at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs FLR: 31 GP – 13 goals – 8 assist – 21 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs FLR: 16 GP- 4 goals- 8 assists- 12 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs FLR: 17 GP- 5 goals- 4 assists- 9 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs FLR: 9 GP- 2 goals- 9 assists- 11 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs FLR: 3 GP– Record: 1-2  2.75 GAA – .920 SV%

James Reimer career vs FLR: 5 GP- Record: 1-4, 3.78 GAA- .864 SV%

Florida Panthers

Mar 1, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) waves to the crowd as he is named first star of the game after the Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Bjugstad career vs TOR: 7 GP- 4 goals- 2 assists- 6 PTS

Jussi Jokinen career vs TOR: 21 GP- 6 goals- 13 assists- 19 PTS

Jaromir Jagr career vs TOR: 53 GP- 32 goals- 42 assists- 74 PTS

Brad Boyes career vs TOR: 34 GP- 9 goals- 18 assists- 27 PTS

Roberto Luongo career vs TOR: 27 GP– Record: 17-7,  2.35 GAA – .923 SV%

Al Montoya career vs TOR: 3 GP- Record: 1-1-1,  2.94 GAA- .877 SV%

Keys to Victory

Mar 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Tim Gleason (6) knocks the puck from Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) in from tot Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs continue to come out flat on the road and maybe having the day off in sunny Florida gave them a means to refocus on the remainder of the season.

Expect Bernier to start against the Panthers after a tough back-to-back against the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals. The goaltending has not been good enough on the road to give the Leafs a chance for a victory, but in their defence the play in front of them has not been great either.

The Panthers are a young, big, strong team that are going to do everything to put themselves in a position for the playoffs. If the Leafs can use their speed to evade the physical play, they can try to generate as many scoring chances as possible.

The Leafs typically do not play well against the Panthers, but maybe the distraction of the trade deadline will get the players focused on getting over this road losing streak.

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