Stefan Hoogerbrugge
02/04/2013
Toronto Maple Leafs (5-5-0) at Winnipeg Jets (4-4-1)

Arena: MTS Center 

Puck Drop: 8:00 PM

TV: Leafs TV Radio: TSN 1050

Last Season: (2-2-0)

The Leafs are coming off a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals and improved their road record to 4-1. The fact that they are once again the road team might lend credence to the thought that the Leafs are in a fortuitous position, but there’s more to it. Unfortunately, the Jets are a very good home team (3-0-1) and play in one of the most hostile arenas in the league.

Key Storylines:

Play Defense:

With two, young, fast paced teams, this game should offer plenty of offensive opportuinties for both clubs. The key for the Leafs will be making sure this doesn’t turn into a game of trading chances, and that while the Leafs should use their speed, winning this game will come down to playing solid defense for a whole 60 minutes.

KESSEL WILL SCORE:

Normally I wouldn’t go with a prediction that bold, but it’s not like I can jinx him. Like everyone has been saying, Phil will break out soon, and I think playing a Winnipeg team that doesn’t really have a shutdown defenseman like a Chara, means Phil should have plenty of chances to break through.

Powerplay success:

The Leafs powerplay has gone completely MIA. The combinations they currently ice aren’t working, so it’s time for Carlyle to make a change. Last game saw John-Michael Liles replace Mike Kostka’s spot on the top PP pairing with Phaneuf, so perhaps more changes are in store. Not scoring on your powerplay is one thing, but when it takes away momentum from you, that’s when you have a real problem, and that’s exactly what the Leafs have on their hands.

Check out the postgame shortly after the game is completed.

@theHooger

Share this post