Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs – 20/12/2018 – Game Day Preview

Time: Thursday, December 20^th , 2018

Toronto: 22-10-2 for 46 points

Florida: 13-13-6 for 32 points

The Leafs finally head back home for a rematch against the Florida Panthers. Where they were manhandled for most of the game and only showed up in the 3^rd period. Leafs look to erase the thought of that game tonight.

Top Scorers/Goalie Matchup

Mitch Marner – 43 points (9 goals 35 assists)

Morgan Rielly – 36 points (11 goals 25 assists)

John Tavares – 36 points (21 goals 14 assists) 49% on face-offs

Auston Matthews – 29 points (17 goals 12 assists) 53% on Face-off

 

Jonathan Huberdeau–40 points (9 goals 31 assists)

Evgeni Dadonov – 33 points (16 goal 17 assist)

Aleksander Barkov– 33 points (15 goal 18 assists)

Mike Hoffman –  31 points (15 goal 16 assists)

 

Frederik Andersen

18-9-1 2.53GAA .923SV%

Roberto Luongo

7-5-1 2.94GAA .906SV%

 

Probable Lineups:

Toronto:

Mitch Marner– John Tavares – Zach Hyman

Kasperi Kapanen –Auston Matthews– Andreas Johnsson

Patrick Marleau – Nazem Kadri – William Nylander

Tyler Ennis– Pars Lindholm – Connor Brown

 

Morgan Rielly – Ron Hainsey

Jake Gardiner – Nikita Zaitsev

Travis Dermott – Igor Ozhiganov

 

Frederik Andersen

Garrett Sparks
Scratched: Justin Holl, Martin Marincin & Frederik Gauthier

Injuries: Nathan Horton (Back)

Suspension: None

 

Florida:

Jonathon Huberdeau – Aleksander Barkov – Mike Hoffman

Frank Vatrano – Henrik Borgstrom– Evgenii Dadonov

Troy Brouwer – Jared McCann – Denis Malgin

Michael Haley – Juho Lammikko – Jayce Hawryluk

 

Keith Yandle –Aaron Ekblad

Michael Matheson – Alex Petrovic

Mark Pysyk – Mackenzie Weegar

 

Roberto Luongo

James Reimer
Scratched: None

Injuries: Jamie McGinn, Nick Bjugstad, Vincent Trocheck & Derek Mackenzie

Suspension: None

 

Keys to Winning against Florida:

1. Dictate the Pace
   1. Last time the Leafs played the Panthers they let the Panthers dictate the pace of the game and it didn’t work in their favour.
2. Quick out of the Zone
   1. The Leafs defence need to get the puck and up to the wingers on the boards quick and easy to ensure there is no prolonged zone time for especially the Barkov,Huberdeau and Hoffman line.
3. Get a cycle going early
   1. A lot has been said about the Leafs speed but their cycle game has been just as good. Get it going early.