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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Road Trip Continues Against the Tampa Bay Lightning

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Road Trip Continues Against the Tampa Bay Lightning

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 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) is congratulated by center Tyler Bozak (42) after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (26-33-5) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (39-20-6) 7:30 p.m. Rogers Sportsnet 

The Leafs are 1-1 against the Lightning this season.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Lightning Injury Report

Matthew Carle out with an Abdomen injury

Mattias Ohlund out with a knee injury

Game Preview

Mar 3, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers trainer David Zenobi attends to injured goalie Roberto Luongo as referee Justin St. Pierre looks on in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers was one of the most talked about games because it is rare to see a team have both goalies injured. The Panthers were close to putting in their goalie coach Rob Tallas but apparently the Panthers may not have been able to put in their goalie coach. Apparently the referees were not going to allow Tallas to play in goal and told the Panthers that they would have to put a player in net but GM Dale Tallon said he would rather have no goalie in that situation. In any case the Leafs picked up the win which was their first road win in 2015 and now face a tough challenge in the Lightning.

Dec 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) skates with the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) defends during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Lightning are still uncertain about the status of goaltender Ben Bishop who injured himself before their game against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Andrei Vasielvskiy made 28 save in a 3-0 shootout over the Sabres. The Lightning are not going to take the Leafs lightly and understand that as soon as they do that they will be in trouble. The Leafs are now hoping to move forward after a stressful couple of days starting with the trade deadline, the lawsuit and Phil Kessel calling out the media.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Apr 8, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) passes the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs TB: 32 GP – 10 goals – 16 assist – 26 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs FLR: 20 GP- 7 goals- 7 assists- 14 PTS

Joffrey Lupul career vs FLR: 20 GP- 8 goals- 16 assists- 24 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs FLR: 11 GP- 2 goals- 5 assists- 7 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs FLR: 3 GP– Record: 3-0 1.67 GAA – .952 SV%

James Reimer career vs FLR: 8 GP- Record: 2-6, 3.11 GAA- .905 SV%

Tampa Bay Lightning

Dec 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots as Toronto Maple Leafs center Mike Santorelli (25) defends during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Steven Stamkos career vs TOR: 23 GP- 15 goals- 14 assists- 29 PTS 

Ben Bishop career vs TOR: 11 GP- Record: 4-5, 3.02 GAA- .888 SV%

Ryan Callahan career vs TOR: 25 GP- 5 goals- 4 assists- 9 PTS

Victor Hedman career vs TOR: 18 GP- 1 goals- 6 assists- 7 PTS

Keys to Victory

Dec 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) reacts after scoring a goal during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Lightning have gotten great offensive production from Stamkos who has six goals and three assists in his last five games against the Leafs. Clearly keeping his impact on the ice on the down low will be one of the biggest challenges.

Mar 3, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jimmy Hayes (12) skates with the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) and right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) and defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) look on in the third period at BB&T Center. The Maple Leafs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs have missed open players in the offensive zone. They need to avoid puck watching and watch out for players that will try to get open. If not it will leave their goalie in a tough position to make a save.

The power play needs to generate more shots which has been a clear reason for the Leafs offensive woes on the road. They were able to get a power play goal against the Panthers but there is still much work to be done to get the power play back on track.

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