Preview: Maple Leafs host the Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings @ Toronto Maple Leafs
07:00 PM at Scotiabank Arena
Watch on: NHLN, CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP, BSDET
Opponent’s Site: Winging It In Motown

The Leafs last game was at home on January 5 against the Seattle Kraken, which Toronto lost by a score of 5-1. The Leafs have a record of 23-9-7 so far.

The Detroit Red Wings last played at home on January 6 against the Florida Panthers. The Red Wings lost by a score of 3-2, and their current league record is 16-14-7.

Them

The Detroit Red Wings are on their way back to respectability, bottoming out a few years ago, never winning the draft lottery, but still being able to bring in some future star players like Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Dylan Larkin. They’re what the Buffalo Sabres hope to be someday, even though the Red Wings began rebuilding at least five years after the Sabres.

2023 has not been kind to Detroit, losing to the Panthers 3-2, and the Devils 5-1. but they ended 2022 on a high note, beating the Senators 4-2. What about someone on the Leafs level? They beat the Lightning 7-4 on December 21st.

Lines

Ansar Khan via Daily Faceoff

Michael Rasmussen - Dylan Larkin - David Perron
Jonatan Berggren - Andrew Copp - Lucas Raymond
Robby Fabbri - Pius Suter - Oskar Sundqvist
Adam Erne - Joe Veleno - Dominik Kubalik

Jake Walman - Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot - Filip Hronek
Olli Maatta - Gustav Lindstrom

Magnus Hellberg
Ville Husso

Us

What a bunch of bums. Losing in a shootout to the Blues (6-5). Having their worst loss of the season to Seattle (5-1). Get it together guys and play like the team that beat the Avalanche 6-2 last weekend.

The team isn’t performing up to the standard they set at the start of the season; scoring, goaltending, defense all needs to reset from the past two games. Hopefully they get inspired with tonight’s special game.

Tonight the Maple Leafs will pay tribute the the indigenous communities within Leafs Nation, with special merchandise and warm up jerseys for sale. You can buy a snapback hat, t-shirt, or hoodie with the new designs from Tyler Tabobondung Rushnell.

“20% of proceeds will be donated to Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre

Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre is an autonomous, vibrant cultural agency led-by, and serving Toronto’s Indigenous community with deep commitment to their holistic well-being. Since 1976, TCFNC has grown to provide a range of essential services like harm reduction, employment and mental health counselling, material assistance, youth programming and other direct social services, in ways that center cultural practises and spiritual traditions. Their space at the corner of Dundas and Parliament in downtown Toronto, provides a safe gathering space for First Nations, Inuit and Metis people in Toronto.”

The sale of the warm up jerseys will see 100% of the proceeds go towards the centre.

Related

Maple Leafs and Marlies will host Indigenous Celebration Games

Lines via David Alter, Leafs morning skate

Michael Bunting - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Calle Järnkrok - John Tavares - Mitch Marner
Alex Kerfoot - David Kämpf - Pierre Engvall
Zach Aston-Reese - Pontus Holmberg - Dryden Hunt

Morgan Rielly - TJ Brodie
Mark Giordano - Justin Holl
Rasmus Sandin - Timothy Liljegren

Ilya Samsonov - Confirmed Starter
Matt Murray

The Game

Toronto vs Detroit

This is a should win game for the Leafs. There’s no excuse to lose to a team destined to miss the playoffs, in your home arena, and you can’t let everyone down on a celebration night.

Will the Maple Leafs turn 2023 around and start winning like they should?