Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Pivotal Game for Vancouver Canucks Playoff Hopes

By David Morassutti

facebooktwitterreddit

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Pivotal Game for Vancouver Canucks Playoff Hopes

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 6, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

Phil Kessel

(81) shoots the puck against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canucks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (27-36-6) @ Vancouver Canucks (35-25-4)  7:00 p.m. CBC

The Leafs are 1-0 against the Canucks this season

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.

Stephane Robidas is out with a shoulder injury.

Roman Polak is out with a hernia injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Canucks Injury Report

Ryan Miller is out with a sprained knee.

Kevin Bieksa is out with a broken hand.

Brad Richardson is out with a lower-body injury.

Yannick Weber is doubtful with an upper-body injury.

Line Combinations (Canucks)

Game Preview

Mar 13, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrates center Jiri Hudler (24) goal on the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

For the Leafs fans that turned the game off after the Calgary Flames scored their second shorthanded goal to go ahead 4-1 in the first period, that decision was understandable. For the fans that continued to watch it, that takes a lot will power, but there are still 13 games left this season. Hopefully Dave Nonis gave Brian Burke his resume before he left, because he might need a job at the end of the season. You have to think that Brendan Shanahan will be itching to make changes after seeing the transformation the Flames have gone through. Sean Monahan, and Johnny Gaudreau will be great players, and with more additions to their top six they can be a great competitor in the Western Conference.

Dec 6, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Peter Holland (24) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Canucks did not blow it up as much as people expected during the summer and yet they sit in a playoffs spot. One reason for that has been the stellar play of Eddie Lack, while Miller has been sidelined with a knee injury. Lack has bailed out the Canucks, especially in games where they have had slow starts. Combined with a young player like Bo Horvat who has been developing nicely in his rookie season, they look like they are turning a corner. The unfortunate part is that they are trying hold onto their position in the playoff race, holding a slim one point advantage for third in the Pacific division, with the Los Angeles Kings trailing right behind them. One small slip could cost the Canucks a playoff spot, but for the time being they have to continue to push forward.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Phil Kessel career vs VAN: 9 GP – 5 goals – 3 assist – 8 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs VAN: 6 GP- 2 goals- 0 assists- 2 PTS

Dion Phaneuf career vs VAN:38 GP- 7 goals- 11 assists- 18 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs VAN: 7 GP- 1 goal- 4 assists- 5 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs VAN: 3 GP – Record: 3-0 2.00 GAA – .945 SV%

Vancouver Canucks

Henrik Sedin career vs TOR: 22 GP- 4 goals- 16 assists- 21 PTS

Daniel Sedin career vs TOR: 22 GP- 10 goals- 12 assists- 22 PTS

Radim Vrbata career vs TOR: 14 GP- 3 goals 5 assists- 8 PTS

Alexander Edler career vs TOR: 11 GP- 0 goals- 6 assists- 6 PTS

Eddie Lack career vs TOR: 1 GP- Record: 0-0 0.00 GAA- 1.000 SV% (34 mins)

Keys to Victory

Nov 20, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) skates with the puck as center

Tyler Bozak

(42) follows against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Lightning 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The players with big money contracts have had no direct impact on the game on a consistent basis. The coaching staff has started to take away their ice-time, but they have not been consistent enough with it. Kessel and Bozak should not be playing together. It should be time for the coach to split them up, because playing them together has not done enough for the team.

Mar 13, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goalie

James Reimer

(34) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

James Reimer was hung out to dry last night by the Leafs, but hopefully Bernier gets a better effort from his teammates. There’s no reason why the Leafs should let their goalies believe they aren’t going to get help from their defenders, because one or both of them will be back next season.

Nazem Kadri will be returning tonight and his one goal should be to prove he has learned from his mistake and that he can be a part of a future with this team. If his play digresses, it could spell trouble for the Leafs as they already have poor depth at centre.

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs