Toronto Maple Leafs: Ferocious Minnesota Wild Come to Town
Toronto Maple Leafs: Ferocious Minnesota Wild Come to Town
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.
Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
Jake Gardiner(51) skates with the puck in the first period against the Minnesota Wild right wing
Justin Fontaine(14) at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Wild (40-25-7) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (27-40-6): 7:30 p.m. TSN.
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The Leafs are 0-1 this season against the Wild.
Leafs Injury Report
Stephane Robidas is out with a shoulder injury.
Peter Holland is out with a lower-body-injury.
Nazem Kadri is out because of a suspension.
Roman Polak is out with a hernia injury.
Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.
Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)
Wild Injury Report
Keith Ballard is out with a concussion.
Ryan Carter is out with a shoulder injury.
Nate Prosser is out with a lower-body injury.
Matt Cooke is out with a hernia injury.
Jason Zucker is out with a broken collarbone.
Game Preview
First, the Leafs had to face the Hamburglar, one of the biggest stories in the NHL. Now, they face one of the hottest teams in the NHL in the Wild, who have one of the best records in the past two months.
They are a leagues best 20-5-1 since January 27, with eight consecutive road wins. The Leafs, on the other hand, have lost eight out of their last nine games, including a hard-fought 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Mar 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center
Sam Carrick(53) skates with the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Erixon (24 years old) got his first goal as a Leaf, and Sam Carrick (23 years old) had his first point in his NHL career. It is nice to see positives from the younger players on the team.
This is what the Leafs want during this slump. Even though the Leafs as a team are not doing well, there needs to be some sign of hope from the younger players who want to be a part of the solution.
The recent signings of Casey Bailey and Nikita Soshnikov prove the Leafs are going to continue bringing in younger players, in the hope that once they go through their development system, things will start turning around. This is why Kadri was disciplined and Holland is receiving more ice-time, because the team is committed to having them as part of the future.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward
James van Riemsdyk(21) checks Minnesota Wild defenseman
Jonas Brodin(25) in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Kessel career vs MIN: 9 GP – 3 goals – 2 assists – 5 PTS
James van Riemsdyk career vs MIN: 4 GP- 1 goals- 0 assists- 1 PTS
Tyler Bozak career vs MIN: 4 GP- 1 goal- 1 assist- 2 PTS
David Booth career vs MIN: 13 GP- 3 goals- 4 assists- 7 PTS
Jonathan Bernier career vs MIN: 8 GP– Record: 3-2-3, 1.134 GAA – .948 SV%
James Reimer career vs MIN: 2 GP- Record: 2-0, 0.50 GAA- .985 SV%
Minnesota Wild
Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward
Tyler Bozak(42) and Minnesota Wild center
Mikko Koivu(9) faceoff in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Darcy Kuemper career vs TOR: 2 GP- Record:1-1, 2.60 GAA- .905 SV%
Devan Dubnyk career vs TOR: 3 GP- Record:0-1-1, 5.14 GAA- .840 SV%
Ryan Suter career vs TOR: 9 GP- 1 goal 3 assists- 4 PTS
Mikko Koivu career vs TOR: 8 GP- 2 goal- 6 assists- 8 PTS
Zach Parise career vs TOR: 27 GP- 11 goals- 8 assists- 19 PTS
Thomas Vanek career vs TOR: 51 GP- 22 goals- 27 assists- 49 PTS
Keys to Victory
The Leafs are one of the worst teams in goal differential in the the first period. They were down 2-0 against the Senators after the first period, but made a small comeback. However, it would be nice to know the Leafs are not out of the game after the opening 20 minutes.
The Wild have been an explosive team since they made Dubnyk the starter, and the best way to defeat them is by hemming them in their own zone. It will be difficult, although the Leafs showed some fight against the Senators.
The top line is still struggling to have an impact in the game, which is a part of the reason why the Leafs have struggles since December. Is there a way for the top line to get better?
It seems doubtful at this point. However, maybe putting a younger player like Brandon Kozun or Carrick in may ignite something, because they may want to help these younger players out. Just food for thought.