Toronto Maple Leafs: Finishing Off the Season Against the Canadiens

Toronto Maple Leafs: Finishing Off the Season Against the Canadiens

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 28, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward

(24) hits Montreal Canadiens defenseman

(64) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens (49-22-10) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (30-44-7) 7:00 p.m. CBC

The Leafs are 0-3 against the Habs this season.

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Leafs Injury Report:

Trevor Smith is questionable with an upper-body injury

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)

Canadiens Injury Report

Tom Gilbert is questionable with an upper-body injury

Max Pacioretty is out with a concussion

Projected Line Combinations (Canadiens)

Game Preview

Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Toronto Maple Leafs scrum in front of the net as Toronto Maple Leafs goalie

(34) lays in the net in the first period at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

It is the final game of the regular season for Montreal and the final game of the season for the Leafs. The season started with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Canadiens but Leafs fans now hope that it will not end that way. The last few months have been tough for the organization and its fans, so there is no doubt that major changes will have to be made. Whether it is a decision regarding GM Dave Nonis or the players that he has made commitments to there is no way that the Leafs come back with a similar roster next season. Their last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets cemented them as one of the worst teams on the road. The Buffalo Sabres had more wins on the road, and if the Sabres are better than you at something that says a lot! At least the team has a record above .500 at home but recording only one win in 2015 is head scratching.

May 1, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie

(40) saves the shot by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

(28) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Canadiens have received one of the best goaltending performances in franchise history from Carey Price who past Jacques Plante for most wins in a single season with 43. He is probably going to win the Hart trophy for his efforts and is expected to play in the final regular season game. The only change to expect from the Leafs is with Colton Orr drawing into the lineup for his final game as a Leaf and in the NHL. The decision to bring up Orr has received mixed reactions, as expected with anything the Leafs do.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Feb 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie

(31) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

(81) shot during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs MTL: 48 GP- 16 goals- 25 assists- 41 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs MTL: 21 GP- 9 goals- 3 assists- 12 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs MTL: 18 GP- 3 goals- 5 assists- 8 PTS

Dion Phaneuf career vs MTL: 31 GP- 9 goals- 15 assists- 24 PTS

James Reimer career vs MTL: 10 GP- Record: 5-4, 2.88 GAA- .916 SV%

Jonathan Bernier career vs MTL: 8 GP- Record: 1-5-2, 3.11 GAA- .899 SV%

Montreal Canadiens

Feb 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center

(47) is checked into the boards by Montreal Canadiens defenseman

(76) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

P.K. Subban career vs TOR: 24 GP – 3 goals, 10 assists – 13 PTS

David Desharnais career vs TOR: 22 GP- 4 goals- 11 assists- 15 PTS

Tomas Plekanec career vs TOR: 60 GP- 15 goals- 23 assists- 38 PTS

Brendan Gallagher career vs TOR: 12 GP – 5 goals, 4 assists – 9 PTS

Carey Price career vs TOR: 30 GP- Record: 16-13-1, 2.58 GAA- .918 SV%

Dustin Tokarski career vs TOR: 1 GP- Record: 0-1, 5.54 GAA- .700 SV%

Keys to Victory

Feb 28, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward

(21) tangles up with Toronto Maple Leafs forward

(21) during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The Habs will take advantage of bad turnovers or defensive breakdowns so if the Leafs can cut down on those Montreal will have to find other ways to create offence.

The Habs will probably rest players so that there is no injury risk heading into the playoffs so there should be no reason why the Leafs cannot go toe-to-toe against them, especially the top players.

Jan 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) celebrates his game-winning goal late in the third period with center

(42) and right wing Phil Kessel (81) and defenseman

(3) against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

If this is the last game for players like Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozak, or Lupul, they should want to give their best effort. It has been a tough season for them, but if they can show some effort tonight it would be a nice send off. None of these players have said that they wanted out of Toronto, even though there have been rumours about Phaneuf.

Apr 13, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Colton Orr (28) knocks down Montreal Canadiens left winf

(32) at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

All that Leafs fans want is a win against the Habs whether it is playing the younger players more or finding a way to get the top players going. Losing this game would just add to the misery especially after the poor effort against Columbus.

On a final note, a big thank you to everyone that took the time to read these game previews throughout the season, especially in these last two months. Did you enjoy reading them? At the end of the season there will be more Leafs content coming your way — hopefully more positive news.