Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Travelling Out West to Face the Red Hot Calgary Flames
Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Off to the West to Face the Red Hot Calgary Flames
Dec 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
Dion Phaneuf(3) tries to bat the puck out of the air as Calgary Flames center
Jiri Hudler(24) closes in at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Calgary Flames (37-25-5) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (27-35-6) 8:00 p.m. TSN
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The Leafs are 1-0 against the Flames this season.
Leafs Injury Report
Stephane Robidas is out from shoulder surgery
Roman Polak is out from hernia surgery
Nathan Horton is out with a back injury
Nazem Kadri out for disciplinary reasons
Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)
Flames Injury Report
Mark Giordano out with a torn bicep
Paul Byron out with a lower-body injury
Ladislav Smid out with an upper-body injury
Drew Shore doubtful with an undisclosed injury
Projected Line Combinations (Flames)
Game Preview
Dec 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing
James van Riemsdyk(21) tries to play the puck as he falls into the end boards with Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Flames 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
There were a lot of comparisons to the Flames this season and the Leafs from last season. The Flames were not seen as an elite defending team that got great goaltending that kept them in the game. However the Flames have been able to keep their heads above water sitting third in the Pacific division with 79 points. With the loss of Giordano for the rest of the season many believed that the Flames would start teetering off. That’s not the case as they return from their eastern road trip to host the Leafs in what could be a good chance to pick up some points and pass the Vancouver Canucks for second in the division.
Mar 11, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks goalie
John Gibson(36) makes a save on Calgary Flames center
Sean Monahan(23) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Part of the reason why the Flames have been successful this season is because of the balanced goal scoring that they have received. Jiri Hudler leads the team with 57 points (24 goals- 33 assists), Sean Monahan leads the team in goals with 25, Johnny Gaudreau has 50 points in his rookie season, along with two of their defencemen contributing offensively as well (Dennis Wideman with 44 points and T.J.Brodie with 26 points). Whether this team has enough gas in the tank to make playoffs still remains to be seen but for now the team can rest easy knowing that they have put themselves in a good chance to make it to the postseason.
Mar 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) skates with the puck as New York Islanders defenseman
Johnny Boychuk(55) bears down on him at Air Canada Centre. The Islanders beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Leafs are coming off a shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres which hurt the tank and saw the Leafs struggle against the Sabres. Joffrey Lupul was benched for most of the third period and overtime while David Booth extended his point streak to five games. Peter Holland has stepped up in Nazem Kadri’s absence with James van Riemsdyk and Richard Panik on the wing. That line seems to have more spark with all three players being bigger bodies that can elude defenders pretty well.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie
Jonathan Bernier(45) keeps the puck out against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Flames 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Kessel career vs BUF: 11 GP- 3 goals- 3 assists- 6 PTS
James van Riemsdyk career vs BUF: 6 GP- 3 goals- 1 assists- 4 PTS
Tyler Bozak career vs BUF: 6 GP- 1 goal- 2 assists- 3 PTS
** Jonathan Bernier career vs CGY: 5 GP- Record- 4-1, 1.60 GAA- .949 SV%
** James Reimer career vs CGY: 1 GP- Record- 1-0, 2.00 GAA- .938 SV%
** Depending on who starts in goal
Calgary Flames
Apr 1, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan (23) takes down Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Monahan career vs TOR: 3 GP- 0 goals- 0 assists- 0 PTS
T.J. Brodie career vs TOR: 4 GP- 0 goals- 4 assists- 4 PTS
Dennis Wideman career vs TOR: 29 GP- 7 goals- 15 assists- 22 PTS
Karri Ramo career vs TOR: 6 GP- Record: 2-2-2, 2.29 GAA- .915 SV%
Jonas Hiller career vs TOR: 5 GP- Record: 0-1, 2.03 GAA- .863 SV% **expected to start**
Keys to Victory
Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres center
Tyler Ennis(63) scores a goal on Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) in the first period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Leafs had a difficult time picking up the Sabres players coming towards the net in the rush. When the puck carrier was taking the puck to the net with the defender covering him no one would cover the forward skating down the middle allowing an easy pass towards the front of the net. The Leafs need to be aware of who they need to cover and avoid players getting clear scoring chances in the slot.
Dec 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller (1) gives up a goal to Toronto Maple Leafs center Peter Holland (24) in the first period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Flames have a lot of scoring upfront and on the blueline. The best way for the Leafs to defend against that is by keeping the Flames in the their own end. They rallied with five straight goals against the Anaheim Ducks which is no easy feat so the Leafs cannot take this team lightly
Hiller is expected to start against the Leafs, they are the only team that Hiller is winless against. If there is a goalie that the Leafs can take advantage of it is Hiller.