GAME DAY: Leafs look to end California trip on winning note versus Ducks
Article content
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (44-25-4) at ANAHEIM DUCKS (32-32-8)
When: Sunday, 8 p.m.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
GAME DAY: Leafs look to end California trip on winning note versus Ducks Back to video
TV: Sportsnet Ontario Radio: FAN 590
Odds: Toronto – 170, Anaheim + 145
THE BUZZ
The Maple Leafs, who held first place in the Atlantic Division entering play Sunday, look for a winning record on their three-game California trip after a 3-1 victory in Los Angeles on Saturday gave them a split in the first two … Rested Anaheim beat the Rangers 5-4 at home in overtime Friday and has won three of its past four … Leafs are 3-0-1 in the last four games of a back-to-back when the opponent is a non-playoff team … Joseph Woll likely will get the call in net and another shot at earning his 25th win of the season … Red-hot Leaf centre John Tavares is looking for a goal in six consecutive games, which would be a career high … Centre Leo Carlsson is coming off his first four-point game for the Ducks … Anaheim has a record of 6-4-2 against Original Six clubs this season.
THE NEWS
Toronto’s Joseph Woll needs to put his last start against the Sharks in the rear-view mirror as soon as possible, likely getting the call in goal and another shot at his 25th win … Defenceman Jacob Trouba could be a game-time decision for the Ducks with an undisclosed injury from the New York win … Anaheim is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season, after general manager Pat Verbeek said at the start of the year he hoped the team could stay in the fight until the end … John Prokop and Luke Haymes, the Leafs’ two recent NCAA signings, made their pro debuts Saturday in the Marlies 2-1 shootout win over Belleville.
THE QUOTE
“I think coming into this year, they knew what the expectations were. It was a different mindset. We’ve tweaked a little bit, some of our system things, and they slowly got used to playing with each other, understanding how to play. If our special teams were better on both sides, this team would be in the playoffs.” – Verbeek on where the Ducks are down the stretch.
THE POLL
How many points will the Leafs finish with this year?
1. 105
2. 100
3. 99
4. 97
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Forwards
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann John Tavares William Nylander
Scott Laughton Max Domi Calle Jarnkrok/Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz David Kampf Pontus Holmberg
Defence
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit/Philippe Myers – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Injuries
Toronto:
LW Max Pacioretty (lower body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee).
Anaheim
C Robbie Fabbri (hand), LW Ross Johnston (upper body) D Jacob Trouba (undisclosed).
THE PREDICTION
3-2 Leafs in overtime as Ducks play for pride in closing days.
Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.