GAMEDAY: Offensively challenged Maple Leafs host stingy Dallas Stars
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Dallas Stars (27-14-1) at Toronto Maple Leafs (27-15-2)
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
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GAMEDAY: Offensively challenged Maple Leafs host stingy Dallas Stars Back to video
TV: TSN RADIO: Sportsnet 590
ODDS
Dallas -265, Toronto +190
THE BUZZ
You wouldn’t know the Leafs are in first place in their division by the level of public scrutiny after their last two games, including five periods of disconnected hockey, two losses, including 3-0 to a beatable Vancouver side … This will be a major test of picking through a difficult Dallas defence, which has allowed 20 fewer goals than themselves, while trying to correct some offensive woes with a constantly evolving power play and some 5-on-5 forward line tweaking … The Stars saw a seven-game win streak halted in Ottawa on Sunday by a 3-2 score, stopping their attempt at a franchise record. This concludes their five-game road trip … It’s another match-up of the Roberston brothers, Jason with four goals in his last eight games including one on Sunday, Nick of the Leafs with two in the same span. Nick scored in the Dec. 18 win in Dallas, 5-3 for Toronto.
THE NEWS
Steven Lorentz gets a promotion from fourth line to first with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner … Max Pacioretty and Pontus Holmberg appear to be the scratches for Toronto, Joseph Woll the expected starter … This will be another match-up of the Roberston brothers, Jason with four goals in his last eight games including one on Sunday, Nick with two in the same span … While former Stars’ defenceman Jani Hakanpaa resumed skating with the Leafs on Monday, his knee problem has not yet allowed him to take a full-time role.
THE QUOTE
“There’s not many fights anywhere, right? This guy has been a heavyweight in this league a long time. There’s not many takers. But I think he’s played good hockey for us. He is what he is.” – Toronto coach Craig Berube on winger Ryan Reaves’ play and yet to drop the gloves this season.
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PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Forwards
Steven Lorentz Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies John Tavares William Nylander
Bobby McMann Max Domi Nick Robertson
Connor Dewar David Kampf Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly – Phlippe Myers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit – Connor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
Injuries
Toronto: G Anthony Stolarz (knee), D Jake McCabe (upper body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin)
Dallas: LW Mason Marchment (facial fractures)
THE PREDICTION
A tight 2-1 win for the Stars.
X: @sunhornby
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