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New York Rangers @ Toronto Maple Leafs
7:30PM - Air Canada Centre
TV: TSN4 / Radio: TSN1050
SBN Rival: Blueshirt Banter
One week ago the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden, four goals to two.
They weren’t expected to win that game, that was saved for the following night against the Ottawa Senators. Win they did, and then they won against the Senators, and THEN they won against the Sabres. Win, win, win, and all the wins are ours.
Lundqvist let in 4 goals on just 27 shots, while Andersen stood tall and 34 saves of his own. What was a test for the Leafs skill against the top teams of the East was an easy pass, and now seven days later we get to do it again.
The Leafs
Winners of three straight, and grabbing points in their past nine games, the Toronto Maple Leafs sit in the third playoff spot in the Atlantic division, two points back of the Boston Bruins for second (and home ice!), and ten points back of the first place Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs have games in hand on both these teams (6 on Boston, and 4 on Montreal), so a few key wins can see them challenging their positions the rest of the season.
Thing’s aren’t all rosy, Morgan Rielly was targeted and injured by those nasty, evil Sabres, and is listed as ‘day to day’. Luckily superstar, all star, holy crap this guy is amazing, Frank Corrado is in the line up, showing us why he’s just too good to be on the ice all the time.
The Rangers
Since being defeated by the Maple Leafs, the Rangers also lost to the Montreal Canadiens and the Dallas Stars. The Rangers were outscored 12-10 in those games, so good news: they scored 10 goals in two games! Bad news: they let in 12.
The Rangers sit in the first Wild card playoff spot, holding a seven point lead over the second WC Ottawa Senators, but are four points back of moving up to the Metro playoff positioning, and have played more games than the three teams holding those spots.
The Rangers could give themselves and their fans a boost in spirits but beating the Leafs tonight, and it’s important they do. After this game they have two days rest then play three games in four days.
Previewing the numbers
| - | Toronto | New York Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| - | Toronto | New York Rangers |
| Record | 21-13-8 | 28-16-1 |
| Division | 3rd | 4th |
| Conference | 7th | 5th |
| League | 14th | 8th |
| Goal Differential | 132 / 123 = +9 | 158 / 123 = +35 |
| Power Play | 24.4% - 2nd | 22.8% - 5th |
| Penalty Kill | 84.5% - 5th | 81.6% - 15th |
| Most Goals | Auston Matthews - 22 | Michael Grabner - 19 |
| Most Points | Auston Matthews - 38 | Derek Stepan - 36 |
| Top Goalie | Frederik Andersen - .918sv% | Antti Raanta - .923sv% |
Lines
Maple Leafs
James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Mitchell Marner
Leo Komarov - Nazem Kadri - William Nylander
Zach Hyman - Auston Matthews - Connor Brown
Matt Martin - Frederik Gauthier - Nikita Soshnikov
Jake Gardiner - Nikita Zaitsev
Matt Hunwick - Roman Polak
Connor Carrick - Frank Corrado
Frederik Andersen
Curtis McElhinney
Rangers
Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello
Pavel Buchnevich - Mika Zibanejad - Rick Nash
Michael Grabner - Kevin Hayes - J.T. Miller
Jimmy Vesey - Oscar Lindberg - Brandon Pirri
Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Nick Holden - Kevin Klein
Brady Skjei - Adam Clendening
Henrik Lundqvist
Magnus Hellberg
What’s going to happen?
I don’t know, go call Ms. Cleo. all I do know is BUDS. ALL. DAY.
Go Leafs Go!