> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Preview: Leafs back at it vs the Kraken - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/preview-leafs-back-at-it-vs-the-kraken/ - Published: 2024-01-21T23:00:33.000Z - Updated: 2024-01-21T23:05:34.000Z - Description: Leafs get to play a very rested team as the finale to this road trip. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: Game Coverage ### Toronto Maple Leafs @ Seattle Kraken 09:00 PM at Climate Pledge Arena Watch on: TVAS, SNO, ROOT-NW The Leafs last game was yesterday against the Vancouver Canucks, which Toronto lost by a score of 6-4 in regulation. The Leafs have a record of 22-14-8 for a 0.591 Points %. The Seattle Kraken last played an away game on January 18 against the Edmonton Oilers. The Kraken lost by a score of 4-2 in regulation, and their current league record is 19-17-9 for a 0.522 Points %. ### Them Who are the Kraken? I looked at the lines below, and there are two people I'm sure I've never heard of. Partly that's because Yanni Gourde is serving a suspension. But partly it's because the Kraken have 11 players making between $4 million and $6 million. They've done it right! They haven't overspent on five guys, and that means... wait. They still have questionable depth? Next I'll discover they don't have any scoring from the bottom half of the lineup. In reality their problem is the top half. Their leading goal-scorer is Jared McCann, and he has 18 goals. The next-highest player has 12\. Seattle began as a team building from the net out, and paying close attention to the cheaper, more readily available defensively skilled players. What they've failed to do since is add much offensive talent. Then they learned about goalie variance, and a promising start to the franchise turned them into the Islanders West. At five-on-five, the Kraken sit atop the muddy middle of teams in tenth place in Expected Goals, with 52%. They're getting good goalie results this year and are seventh in team Save %. Their power play is very bad, but they've scored a little bit over expected and are merely not very good in effect. Shorthanded, they have bad goaltending behind a bad PK. They have legitimately enviable Expected Goals Against, top four in the NHL. And that's all they've got. #### Lines Projected via [Daily Faceoff](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/seattle-kraken/line-combinations/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Tomas Tatar - Jared McCann - Jordan Eberle Eeli Tolvanen - Alex Wennberg - Oliver Bjorkstrand Jaden Schwartz - Tye Kartye - Andre Burakovsky John Hayden - Devin Shore - Brandon Tanev Ryker Evans - Adam Larsson Jamie Oleksiak - Will Borgen Brian Dumoulin - Justin Schultz Joey Daccord - likely starter Chris Driedger ### Us The Leafs had to travel to get to this game, but they at least had an early night last night. I do so hope they slept well and dreamed happy dreams of a world in which no one ever has to defend. The mid-game switch of Liljegren and Benoit on defence seemed to actually help. I also think the object lesson of Pontus Holmberg working hard, grinding in the corners, etc. etc. on the top line has fulfilled its dual purpose. I think Tyler Bertuzzi got the point, and Holmberg got a lot of confidence he can take to a line lower down. What will the Leafs put on the ice tonight? They have two extra defenders and one forward, so some changes can certainly happen. They've rolled along with 23 men on the roster now for quite a while while rarely using any of the extra players. We'll see what Keefe decides for this game closer to puck drop. #### Lines Last Game (01/20) via [Daily Faceoff](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/toronto-maple-leafs/line-combinations/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Pontus Holmberg - Auston Matthews - Mitch Marner Tyler Bertuzzi - John Tavares - William Nylander Matthew Knies - Max Domi - Calle Järnkrok Bobby McMann - David Kämpf - Noah Gregor Morgan Rielly - T.J. Brodie Jake McCabe - Timothy Liljegren Mark Giordano - Simon Benoit Ilya Samsonov - likely starter Martin Jones ### The Game The last game of a western road trip is a tough one to play well in. Fatigue is high, the desire for home is higher. And people just keep asking you to defend. It's tough out there.