Nashville Predators vs Toronto Maple Leafs – 01/07/2019 – Game Day Preview and Recap

Time: Monday, January 7^th , 2019

Toronto: 27-12-2 for 56 points

Nashville: 25-15-3 for 53 points

After getting their first win of 2019 the Leafs invite Nashville into Toronto. The Leafs look to keep the offence clicking, but will have it tested against one of the best defensive teams in the League. Nashville gets their top player back in Filip Forsberg tonight.

Top Scorers/Goalie Matchup

Mitch Marner – 55 points (15 goals 40 assists)

John Tavares – 47 points (27 goals 20 assists) 54% on face-offs

Morgan Rielly – 45 points (13 goals 32 assists)

Auston Matthews – 39 points (20 goals 19 assists) 51% on Face-off

 

Ryan Johansen–36 points (8 goals 28 assists)

Roman Josi – 30 points (7 goals 23 assists)

Mattias Ekholm – 28 points (4 goals 24 assist)

Craig Smith – 24 points (14 goal 10 assists)

 

Michael Hutchinson

1-1-0 2.05GAA .923SV%

Pekka Rinne

15-10-2 2.31GAA .919SV%

 

Probable Lineups:

Lineups:

Toronto:

Andreas Johnsson – Auston Matthews – William Nylander

Mitch Marner – John Tavares – Patrick Marleau

Kasperi Kapanen – Nazem Kadri – Connor Brown

Trevor Moore – Pars Lindholm – Frederik Gauthier

 

Morgan Rielly  – Ron Hainsey

Jake Gardiner – Nikita Zaitsev

Travis Dermott – Igor Ozhiganov

 

Michael Hutchinson

Kasimir Kaskisuo

Scratched: Justin Holl & Martin Marincin

Injuries: Nathan Horton (Back), Zach Hyman (Ankle), Frederik Andersen (Groin), Garrett Sparks (Concussion), Tyler Ennis (Leg)

Suspension: None

 

Nashville:

Calle Jarnkrok – Ryan Johansen– Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala – Colton Sissons – Craig Smith

Ryan Hartman– Nick Bonino– Auston Watson

Filip Forsberg – Gaudreau –Rocco Grimaldi

 

Roman Josi –Ryan Ellis

Mattias Ekholm – PK Subban

Dan Hamuis – Matt Irwin

 

Pekka Rinne

Juuse Saros
Scratched: None

Injuries: Miika Salomaki, Kyle Turris, & Yannick Weber

Suspension: None

 

Keys to Winning against Nashville:

1. Traffic in front of Rinne
   1. Leafs need to get bodies in front of Rinne. Rinne won’t let easy stuff through.
2. Speed
   1. Speed have to use it force the defence back. Force Rinne to win the game.
3. Travis Dermott
   1. He will be the key as I expect Rielly not to be open much this game unless on the powerplay

Gameday:

First Period:

Nashville Penalty – 19:42 – Ryan Johansen, 2 mins for Tripping

End of 1st – NSH – 0        TOR –0

Shots              9                     7

Faceoffs     12/15              3/15

Hits               13                     9

PP                 0/0                   0/1

 

Analysis:

Momentum seemed to flow back and forth. First 8 minutes was all Toronto, 2^nd 8 minutes all Nashville and the last 4 all Toronto again. Toronto hit 2 posts one by Matthews and one by Kapanen. Leafs start the 2^nd on the powerplay and look for them to continue the offensive possession in the 2^nd period.

 

Need to Do:

Play a full period strong. Speed, Shots and defensively.

Second Period:

Leafs Penalty – 3:11 – Nikita Zaitsev, 2 mins for Interference

Nashville PPG Goal– 4:08 – Mattias Eklholm (5), assisted by Craig Smith (11) and Kevin Fiala (17)

Nashville Penalty – 8:12 – Matt Irwin, 2 mins for Holding

Nashville Goal– 13:11– PK Subban (4), assisted by Matt Irwin(4) and Nick Bonino (10)

End of 2nd – NSH– 2          TOR – 0

Shots              24                   16

Faceoffs      21/37             16/37

Hits               25                       16

PP                 1/2                   0/2

 

Analysis:

Leafs failed to capitalize on their chances and paid the price at the other end. On top of a goal called back against Matthews

Need to Do:

Need a big period

Third Period:

Toronto Penalty –4:33 – Par Lindholm, 2 mins for Interference

Nashville Penalty –6:58 – Roman Josi, 2 mins for Hooking

Nashville Goal – 17:23 – Colton Sissons (8) from Calle Jarnkrok (8)

Nashville Goal – 19:22 – Kevin Fiala (8) from Colton Sissons (10) and Mattias Ekholm (25)

 

End of 3rd – NSH – 4        TOR – 0

Shots              31                   18

Faceoffs     25/45               20/45

Hits               31                       18

PP                 1/2                  0/3

Analysis:

Bad defensive game for Toronto , along with some bad luck.

Next Up:

Toronto (27-12-2 56pts) at New Jersey (16-18-7 39pts)

Nashville (25-15-3 53pts) at Chicago (16-21-7 39pts)