After a strong rebound win against Columbus, the Rangers are in Toronto to take on the Leafs. Toronto is a good team, but very flawed. Goaltending and overall roster depth is a problem, again, for the Leafs, and it’s been preventing them from being a bigger force in the Atlantic. That said, they still have an almost unmatched Big Four who can seemingly score at will.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have seen a much better commitment to defense and slowing teams down. This isn’t just in the defensive zone, mind you. It starts on the 2-1-2 forecheck, disrupting breakouts and forcing clears instead of controlled exits. The key, though, is limiting speed through the neutral zone, an area which crushed the Rangers last season.
Slow down good teams, and they can’t get going. It’s as simple as that.
Leafs Lines
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Tyler Bertuzzi-Max Domi-William Nylander
Bobby McCann-John Tavares-Calle Jarnkrok
Pontus Holmberg-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Morgan Reilly-Ilya Lyubushkin
TJ Brodie-Jake McCabe
Simon Benoit-William Lagesson
Ilya Samsonov gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jimmy Vesey
Will Cuylle-Jonny Brodzinski-Kaapo Kakko
Matt Rempe-Barclay Goodrow-Adam Edstrom
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba
Erik Gustafsson-Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin gets the start
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg)
Crazy Prediction: Auston Matthews doesn’t score.
Game time is 7pm.
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