Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Nashville Predators

Feb 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nashville Predators goalie

(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