GAMEDAY: Maple Leafs collide with Seattle Kraken following respective big wins

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Seattle Kraken (5-4-1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-1)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m., Scotiabank Arena

TV: TSN4 Radio: TSN 1050

Odds: Kraken +180, Maple Leafs -225

The buzz

After losing badly to Columbus and St. Louis last week, the Leafs finally responded properly on Monday with a sound beating of the Winnipeg Jets, previously 8-0-0. Key against the Kraken will be using the same kind of direct forechecking game that had the Jets reeling … Seattle ended a three-game losing streak on Tuesday in convincing fashion, spanking the Montreal Canadiens 8-2 to begin a five-game trip … The Kraken has visited Toronto three times in its short history. The Leafs won two of those meetings. In Seattle, the Leafs have won all three games between the clubs … The Kraken’s Matty Beniers, winner of the Calder Trophy in 2023, has just two goals in 10 games and both came in a loss against Winnipeg on Oct. 24 … The game will feature the Tanev brothers — Chris with the Leafs and Brandon with the Kraken. If you want to refer to it as the Tanev Cup, you can, but don’t be discouraged if it fails to catch on.

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The news

Joseph Woll will make his second start of the season in the Leafs net after coming back from tightness in his groin. He has played against Seattle once in his NHL career, making 37 saves in a 4-3 shootout win on Nov. 30, 2023 … Seattle won’t have defenceman Brandon Montour in the lineup, as he returned home for the birth of his daughter. Cale Fleury will draw into the Kraken lineup … Joey Daccord starts in goal for Seattle. He’s 1-1-0 in two career games against the Leafs with a .918 save percentage.

The quote

“They’re a quick team, play a fast game. Right from their first year, I thought they were difficult team to play against with their transition game and their quickness. We’re going to have to be ready and on our toes.” — Leafs coach Craig Berube on the Kraken

The Leafs lineup

Forwards

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner

Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander

Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Pontus Holmberg

Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves/Nick Robertson

Defence

Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev

Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins

Goalies

Joseph Woll

Anthony Stolarz

The injuries

TOR: D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Connor Dewar (shoulder), F Calle Jarnkrok (lower body); SEA: D Vince Dunn (upper body)

The prediction

The Leafs will build off their impressive victory in Winnipeg on Monday. Make the final 4-2 Toronto.