Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Nashville Predators
Jan 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
Dion Phaneuf(3) shoots the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Smashville for a battle with the Predators tonight.
Toronto heads into the game without Captain Dion Phaneuf, who Paul Hendrick tweets is still not ready to return to the lineup.
Dion on the ice with the Leafs this morning. Still not a available for at least a week. #TMLtalk
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) February 3, 2015
Here are the projected line combinations for the game, also from Hendrick via mapleleafs.nhl.com:
Forwards
21 van Riemsdyk – 42 Bozak – 81 Kessel
26 Winnik – 43 Kadri – 19 Lupul
47 Komarov – 24 Holland – 71 Clarkson
20 Booth – 25 Santorelli – 18 Panik
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Defence
51 Gardiner – 4 Franson
44 Rielly – 46 Polak
55 Holzer – Robidas
Jonathan Bernier is expected to be in the cage for the buds.
Toronto will be looking to move forward and grab their first win since January 9th.
Let’s look at the tale of the tape and the analytics report for the game.
Next: Tale of the Tape
Feb 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nashville Predators goalie
Carter Hutton(30) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Predators won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Tale of the Tape
Toronto
22-25-4 48 points (12th in Eastern Conference)
PP: 18.6% (15th in NHL)
PK: 83.4% (8th in NHL)
G/GP: 2.76 (15th in NHL)
GA/GP: 3.02 (25th in NHL)
Win % When Scoring First: .727 (11th in NHL)
Nashville
32-11-6 70 points (1st in Western Conference)
PP: 16.5% (24th in NHL)
PK: 80.6% (20th in NHL)
G/GP: 2.96 (7th in NHL)
GA/GP: 2.26 (2nd in NHL)
Win % When Scoring First: .783 (6th in NHL)
This is clearly not a favorable matchup for Toronto, facing the first place team in the entire NHL, but there is a battle to be won on special teams.
Toronto will need to capitalize on extra man opportunities as well as take advantage of a poor Nashville power play.
Nashville has been a high scoring team that is difficult to score against all season long and even without Pekka Rinne that has stayed true.
The Predators are defensively responsible and offensively explosive and the Leafs are in for a rough ride if they can’t find ideal matchups early.
Next: Analytics Report
Jan 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing
T.J. Oshie(74) handles the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
Cody Franson(4) defends during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Analytics Report
[table id=45 /]
Again, the Leafs are largely out-matched.
Nashville is a very good possession team that has the benefit of a high shooting percentage and outstanding goaltending.
That’s a dangerous combination of statistics.
Without capitalizing on special teams chances the Leafs will be in tough against a team like Nashville.
For a team who has suffered tremendous bad luck during the last 15 games tonight isn’t an ideal opponent to turn the tables against.
Toronto will need to play cautious, smart hockey with and without the puck for sixty minutes if they even want to be close to the Nashville Predators.