CAROLINA HURRICANES AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 7:30PM - AIR CANADA CENTRETV: SPORTSNET ONTARIORADIO: TSN1050 SBN: CANES COUNTRY
Coming off a last second 3-2 victory of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Maple Leafs look to win two in a row for the first time since December 30 - January 6 when they took 3 straight wins, before dropping 5 in a row. The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to rebound after back to back losses, including a 5-0 loss to the Penguins on Sunday. Perhaps the three day break can let them re-focus.
Let's see how these teams compare:
| Maple Leafs | Hurricanes | |
| Record | 17-20-7 | 20-19-8 |
| Place in Div. | 8th - Atlantic | 7th - Metro |
| Place in Conf. | 15th - East | 13th - East |
| Place in NHL | 29th | 23rd |
| Lottery % | 13.5 | 6 |
| Goals +/- | 107/120 | 111/128 |
| Most Points | Leo Komarov - 30 | Justin Faulk - 32 |
| Most Goals | Leo Komarov - 16 | Jeff Skinner - 17 |
| Top Goalie | James Reimer - .934sv% | Cam Ward - .905sv% |
The Hurricanes remind me of the Leafs of the Toskala/Raycroft era. They could make the playoffs, but goal tending is sinking them. Now, with Cam Ward on IR and the Hurricanes calling up Daniel Altshuller, a goalie who's played more ECHL games this year than anywhere else, things aren't looking up for them in that regard. Ward has a concussion so he could return soon, after the seven days are up, or he could be out longer.
This years Maple Leafs remind me of...no one particular, but they are playing well despite their record. A year of slow improvements, you could say.
Here are the line potentials:
HURRICANES
Kris Versteeg – Eric Staal – Elias Lindholm
Joakim Nordstrom – Jordan Staal – Andrej Nestrasil
Jeff Skinner – Victor Rask – Phillip Di Giuseppe
Brad Malone – Jay McClement – Nathan Gerbe
John-Michael Liles – Justin Faulk
Noah Hanifin – Ron Hainsey
Michal Jordan – Jaccob Slavin
Eddie Lack
Daniel Altshuller
Injured: James Wisniewski (ACL), Brett Pesce (lower body), Cam Ward (concussion)
Scratched: Riley Nash
MAPLE LEAFS
Shawn Matthias - Tyler Bozak - PA Parenteau
Michael Grabner - Nazem Kadri - Leo Komarov
Joffrey Lupul - Peter Holland - Brad Boyes
Daniel Winnik - Byron Froese - Rich Clune
Matt Hunwick - Morgan Rielly
Jake Gardiner - Dion Phaneuf
Martin Marincin - Roman Polak
James Reimer
Jonathan Bernier
Injured: James van Riemsdyk (foot), Nick Spaling (upper body), Stephane Robidas (lower body), Nathan Horton (neck)
Scratched: Frank Corrado, Josh Leivo
Here's your morning scuttlebutt:
The Maple Leafs are adding three new players to legends row, even one who has refused to deal with them for almost 40 years.
Should we trade Tyler Bozak?
Hey look! Seldo did a thing!
Francis said shot to mask by Pens' Kessel or bump during Vancouver game may have been cause. Said Ward had sore neck after Canucks game.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 20, 2016 Canes GM Ron Francis says team not sure when Ward suffered concussion. Said he complained of dizziness Tuesday, was diagnosed today.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 20, 2016 Cant he Leafs pull off another victory, or are you asking SHOULD the LEafs pull off another victory?
