Toronto Maple Leafs: Good Chance to Rebound Against Edmonton Oilers

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.

Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman

Morgan Rielly

(44) carries the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (27-37-6) @Edmonton Oilers (18-39-12), 9:30 p.m., Rogers Sportsnet

More from Tip of the Tower

The Leafs are 1-0 so far against the Oilers this season.

Leafs Injury Report

Stephane Robidas is out with a shoulder injury.

Roman Polak is out with a hernia injury.

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Oilers Injury Report

Viktor Fasth is out with a knee injury.

Taylor Hall is out with a leg injury.

Nikita Nikitin is out with a shoulder injury.

Iiro Pakarinen is out with a knee injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Oilers)

Game Preview

Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins (20) scores against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The last two games against the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames have now confirmed to management that there is no reason for certain players to be given another chance to play for the Leafs next season. The effort against the Flames was abysmal by most standards, while the Canucks’ Jannik Hansen mocked captain Dion Phaneuf. Even though the Oilers have not played well this season, at least the majority of the team are trying. Against the Canucks, the Leafs went 0-for-7 on the power play and gave up two shorthanded goals against Calgary. That only happens when a team is unwilling to put their best effort forward, which has been the Leafs demise for this whole season.

Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) breaks past Edmonton Oilers defenseman Justin Schultz (19) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Edmonton 5-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The issues with the Oilers has not been the players, but how the team has been assembled by management. The Leafs have a similar problem, but they are a better team than the Oilers – albeit only when they want to be. It was evident the last time they played each other, when Toronto won 5-1 in convincing fashion. So while the Leafs may have talented players, it means nothing when those players are unwilling to give the effort necessary to win.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) and Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov (10) battle for the puck during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs EDM: 11 GP- 9 goals- 7 assists- 16 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs EDM: 5 GP- 2 goals- 4 assists- 6 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs EDM: 7 GP- 2 goals- 4 assists- 6 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs DAL: 3 GP- Record: 3-0, 2.32 GAA- .921 SV%

James Reimer career vs EDM:4 GP- Record: 4-0, 1.74 GAA- .949 SV%

Edmonton Oilers

Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (14) carries the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Roman Polak (46) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Edmonton 5-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Eberle career vs TOR: 7 GP- 6 goals- 3 assists- 9 PTS

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins career vs TOR: 4 GP- 1 goal- 0 assists- 1 PTS

Derek Roy career vs TOR: 49 GP- 21 goals- 16 assists- 37 PTS

Ben Scrivens career vs TOR (no games against Toronto) record this season: 48 GP- Record: 12-22-9, 3.00 GAA- .896 SV%

Keys to Victory

Feb 28, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens fans hold a sign behind Toronto Maple Leafs coach Peter Horachek and some of his players during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

If Peter Horachek wants to try to get it through to his players that their effort has to be better, he needs to play them as often as he can. People say he should take away ice-time from the top line, especially on the power play. Instead, why not have them play more and make them realize they are not going to get off easy.

If playing them more does not work, then the Leafs should bench their top players for a significant amount of time while a player like David Booth gets a chance to continue his strong play. He is the type of player that is looking to prove himself, so you might as well have him be a example of what the coaching staff is looking for.

Mar 13, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) celebrates his shorthanded goal against Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs are way too predictable on the power play, which is a major reason why they have given up the most shorthanded goals this season. When a team gets a man advantage. they should want to use that to get a momentum boost. This has not been the case for the Leafs, who usually lose momentum when they are on the power play.

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