Match-up - Toronto Maple Leafs (36-28-48) @ New Jersey Devils (30-28-13) Road/Home records - 14-15-7 -------------- 17-10-7 TV - RDS, Leafs TV, MSG Plus Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Season series - Leafs lead 2-0 (both shootouts) Last 10: Maple Leafs 4-6-0 | Devils 4-6-0 Projected starting goalies - James Reimer vs Cory Schneider
Projected lines for the Maple Leafs:
James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel Mason Raymond - Nazem Kadri - Joffrey Lupul Nikolai Kulemin - Dave Bolland - David Clarkson Troy Bodie - Jay McClemment - Colton Orr
Carl Gunnarsson - Dion Phaneuf Cody Franson - Tim Gleason Morgan Rielly - Jake Gardiner
Projected lines for the Devils:
Tuomo Ruutu - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Adam Henrique - Patrik Elias - Michael Ryder Ryane Clowe - Jacob Josefson - Dainius Zubrus Ryan Carter - Stephen Gionta - Steve Bernier
Andy Greene - Mark Fayne Bryce Salvador - Marek Zidlicky Jon Merrill - Eric Gelinas
Game notes:
- The Leafs shouldn't even be sniffing a playoff spot. They're awful in terms of 5 vs 5, their defensive zone coverage is terrible and their penalty kill is brutal, as well. If it weren't for their powerplay and exceptional goaltending that has Jonathan Bernier posting borderline Vezina caliber numbers, they'd be near the bottom of the league. I've watched so many games this year where they've been outshot by 15-20 and have managed to pull out two points. That's not sustainable and they're finally starting to suffer for it, which is why they're free falling down the standings. But knowing both teams like I do, I'm sure the Devils will outshoot the Leafs 43-24 tonight and lose 2-1 in a shootout.
It's worth noting that I think the Leafs' struggles are due much more to coaching than the players. They have a pretty impressive roster and if Randy Carlyle isn't coaching them next season, I think we'll see a much better product.
- If the Devils had any chance of making the postseason this year, that all but evaporated with a regulation loss to the Rangers on home ice. Realistically the Devils would have to go 8-1-2 down the stretch to give themselves a fighting chance at a playoff spot, and considering they haven't won three straight since November, I'd say that's extremely unlikely. That said, the Leafs are dropping down the standings like a bag of bricks so if not anything else, a Devils win tonight could help drag the Maple Leafs down with them.
- Considering where the Devils are at in the standings, David Clarkson's return is probably a much bigger story than the two points on the line. As many predicted, Clarkson hasn't even come remotely close to living up to the big money contract he scored. He's actually been even much worse than most expected. How bad has this year been for him? Well, he has one more goal than Cam Janssen despite having played in 26 more games and averaged over triple the ice time Janssen had when he was up. If this keeps up he'll probably be bought out within another year or two.
- Cory Schneider is back between the pipes for just the fifth time this month. He's really struggled since the Olympic break which is part of the reason the Devils aren't closer to a playoff spot than they are. It'd be nice to see him get going and handle the bulk of the work load down the stretch to prepare him for next season, as it will be his first year as the undisputed starter.
- Anton Volchenkov was injured last night and probably won't play tonight, which means Eric Gelinas should draw back into the lineup. He's had an OK season.
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