After a couple of reduced hockey weeks before the all-star break the Leafs are finally back in action tonight and will host the New York Islanders.
Toronto is coming off back to back wins and will be looking to light the lamp tonight against one of the league’s worst defensive teams. Keep in mind they are also one of the league’s highest goal scoring teams so the Leafs will have to play a solid game defensively and cash in their chances offensively, likely against Thomas Greiss as Halak played last night.
The Leafs will have to keep an eye on Islanders rookie Mathew Barzal. He’s been outstanding and is certainly a Calder Trophy favorite with 51 points (16g, 35a).
The Islanders really do have a powerful top six and the Leafs will have to beware of the top line as well which includes John Tavares, Anders Lee and Josh Bailey. Barzal has carried the second line of Jordan Eberle and newly promoted to the line Anthony Beauvillier who’s been excellent as of late.
Mike Babcock has shaken up the lines and the team is certainly much better because of it. Hopefully they stick as sad as it is to say the Kadri line was much more dangerous without Leo Komarov. With Leo being an UFA at seasons end this could be his last season with the Leafs unless he were to sign a relatively cheap deal compared to what he’s making now. Of course he would be a fourth liner/penalty killing specialist if that were to happen. Personally I think the Leafs will move on and promote a younger talent from the farm.
Marleau-Kadri-Marner was dangerous and effective. Kadri snapped out of a funk and scored three goals in two games and the new formed line fired a juicy 22 shots on goal against Chicago and Dallas. It’s important the Leafs get all lines firing and feeling confident as we head down the stretch.
It won’t be long until the Leafs have their defense back to 100% health as both Zaitsev and Rielly are making progress. Polak will be the first to go when Zaitsev returns and then decisions will have to be made whether or not the Leafs want to send Borgman or Dermott back to the Marlies. Neither player requires going through waivers and where Borgman may have the advantage of being up with the big club all season, I’d love to see Babcock keep Dermott in the mix as he’s passed Borgman in my eyes and may get a lot out of this late season push from the blue and white.
Expect the boys to be energized, well rested and hungry tonight as they look to hold their top three spot in the Atlantic Division and surpass the 100 point barrier by seasons end. As of now the boys are on pace for 98 but the schedule was quite difficult in the first half of the season.
Enjoy the game tonight,
Thanks for reading.