GAMEDAY: New-look Maple Leafs look to get on right track in Denver
Article content
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (38-21-3) at COLORADO AVALANCHE (37-24-2)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m., Ball Arena
tap here to see other videos from our team.
GAMEDAY: New-look Maple Leafs look to get on right track in Denver Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
TV: Sportsnet Radio: TSN 1050
Odds: Maple Leafs +107, Avalanche -132
THE BUZZ
The Maple Leafs had centre Brock Nelson in their sights in a trade and sure enough, they’ll get an up-close look at him on Saturday. Nelson will be in Avalanche colours, though, after Colorado acquired him from the New York Islanders late on Thursday night … A third poor effort in a row by the Leafs, following losses to Vegas and San Jose, wouldn’t be acceptable. The Tampa Bay Lightning has moved to one point within the Leafs and would pass Toronto in the Atlantic Division, even if it’s temporary, with a win against Boston on Saturday afternoon … Strange but true: The Leafs haven’t lost in regulation in Denver since Jan. 17, 2006, when Jason Allison, Jeff O’Neill and Mats Sundin scored the Toronto goals in a 5-3 loss. Since then, the Leafs are 9-0-3 in their past 12 games as visitors. They’ve won the past two meetings between the clubs at Ball Arena, outscoring the Avs 10-5 … Any way you break it down, the Avalanche has been on a good run. Colorado has won four games in a row, six of eight and eight of 11. With the way the standings are today, the Avs will be in a fight with the Minnesota Wild for third place in the Central Division until the final days of the regular season.
THE NEWS
Newcomers Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo joined the club in Denver on Friday night, and both will be in the lineup. Coach Craig Berube told media in Denver on Saturday afternoon that Laughton will centre a line with Bobby McMann and Max Domi on the wings. Carlo will get a look with Morgan Rielly … Berube said Chris Tanev (upper body) will not play for the fifth consecutive game … Charlie Coyle, acquired by the Avalanche from Boston on Friday, will be in the Colorado lineup … Anthony Stolarz will be in goal for the Leafs.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
THE QUOTE
“A lot of confidence in the group and we added some good players.
I think it’s exciting. It’s an exciting time of year. We have our group now. There are no changes that can be made, we know who we’re rolling with.”
— Leafs captain Auston Matthews on the additions of Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo
THE POLL
What best sums up your feelings of the work Brad Treliving did on deadline day?
- Great. Start the playoffs now.
- He gave up too much.
- I’ll take a wait-and-see approach.
- Meh.
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Forwards
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Scott Laughton-Max Domi
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Nick Robertson
Defence
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit-Philippe Myers
Goal
Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll
THE INJURIES
TOR: D Chris Tanev (upper body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Max Pacioretty (undisclosed).
COL: F Gabriel Landeskog (knee).
THE PREDICTION
The Leafs are buoyed by the additions and end their two-game skid with a 5-3 victory.
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.