Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Casey Bailey to Make Debut Against Panthers

By David Morassutti

facebooktwitterreddit

Toronto Maple Leafs: Casey Bailey to Make Debut Against Panthers

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 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) clears the puck as Florida Panthers forward Dave Bolland (63) forechecks during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Panthers (33-26-14) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (27-41-6), 7:30 p.m. TSN.

The Leafs are 1-2 against the Panthers this season.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Stephane Robidas is out with a shoulder injury.

Peter Holland is unlikely with a lower-body injury.

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.

Roman Polak is out with a hernia injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Panthers Injury Report

Nick Bjugstad is questionable with a lower-body injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Panthers)

Game Preview

Nov 1, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs flag gets passed through the crowd upside down during the anthem prior to the game against the Chicago Black Hawks at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

In recent news, the Leafs are having an attendance problem – just don’t tell the Panthers that. After a better effort against the Minnesota Wild, the fact that the team’s attendance dominates the discussion shows how much the Leafs struggles have affected them. There has not been as much buzz around this team, but the last time these two played against each other, the Panthers were going to put their goaltending coach in net against the Leafs. Now the Panthers are desperate to stay in the playoff race, where they are almost out of all nine lives.

Dec 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Richard Panik (18) skates in on a breakaway to score against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The positives that can be taken out of the game against the Wild could be the improved play of Jonathan Bernier. Also, consider Jake Gardiner scoring for the second time in three games and the steady play of Sam Carrick. Seeing this will bring optimism going into the final stretch of the season, but getting wins will also help in that regard. Casey Bailey, who the Leafs signed on Saturday, could make his debut against the Panthers in what could be an interesting signing for the Leafs. There is nothing wrong with bringing in young players, especially if it does not cost you anything, which is why the additions of Richard Panik and Bailey show a change in philosophy for the Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mar 3, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) makes a save on a shot by Florida Panthers right wing Jimmy Hayes (12) in the third period at BB&T Center. The Maple Leafs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs FLR: 33 GP – 13 goals – 9 assists – 22 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs FLR: 18 GP- 4 goals- 8 assists- 12 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs FLR: 18 GP- 6 goals- 4 assists- 10 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs FLR: 5 GP– Record: 2-2  2.58 GAA – .929 SV%

James Reimer career vs FLR: 6 GP- Record: 1-4, 3.78 GAA- .864 SV%

Florida Panthers

Feb 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) clears the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brandon Kozun (67) forechecks during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Bjugstad career vs TOR: 8 GP- 4 goals- 2 assists- 6 PTS

Jussi Jokinen career vs TOR: 22 GP- 6 goals- 13 assists- 19 PTS

Dave Bolland career vs TOR: 5 GP- 1 goal- 4 assists- 5 PTS

Brad Boyes career vs TOR: 35 GP- 9 goals- 18 assists- 27 PTS

Roberto Luongo career vs TOR: 28 GP– Record: 17-7,  2.31 GAA – .925 SV%

Keys to Victory

Mar 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Sam Carrick (53) celebrates a goal by defenceman Jake Gardiner (51) as Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba (55) looks on at the Air Canada Centre. Minnesota defeated Toronto 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs were more aggressive against the Wild, which showed that they had more fight in them. It was good to see players like Gardiner and Carrick jump at the chance to put a loose puck in the net, but now the rest of the team has to follow that.

Mar 3, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) celebrates his goal with defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) and right wing Phil Kessel (81) as Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) looks on in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

While it will be important to get Bailey accustomed to the NHL, they cannot push him too much. This will be time to develop his game, even though he has proved that he is a capable player in the NCAA. If he is playing well, there is nothing wrong with giving him more chances to prove himself, but expectations have to be tempered.

The Panthers will be coming out swinging, with their playoff lives hanging in the balance. This is where the Leafs will have to prove they can still play spirited hockey against a team that is in a different direction than they are.

Next: Maple Leafs 13 year sellout streak ends

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs