Toronto Maple Leafs Look to Steal 2nd in Atlantic Division
By Nick Barden
After the Toronto Maple Leafs thought they could steal 2nd place on Saturday vs. Boston, they get another chance at it tonight.
It’s game two of the season series between Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets.
Frederik Andersen is starting in the first half of the back-to-back once again. He looks to have another great game, after stopping 43 of 46 shots faced against the Bruins on Saturday.
The Maple Leafs have lost both of the 2nd halves of their back-to-backs, but head coach Mike Babcock said today, the goaltending order in back-to-backs won’t change any time soon, “Can you imagine if you lost game one? And then you went to game two tired?” said Babcock, “I don’t know. The investment makes no sense to me whatsoever.”
Michael Hutchinson, once again looks to have the tougher game tomorrow night against the Boston Bruins, where the Maple Leafs will likely be very tired.
The Blue Jackets are starting Joonas Korpisalo tonight. In six games this season, the Finnish net-minder has three wins, along with a .905 save percentage.
Columbus will likely get a boost tonight with Josh Anderson being activated off injured reserve after missing six games with an upper-body injury.
Andreas Johnsson will play.
The 24-year-old will return to the lineup tonight against the Blue Jackets after leaving Saturday’s game against the Bruins where he blocked a Brandon Carlo slap shot.
Andreas Johnsson on his bone bruise and returning to play: "It's kind of funny with hockey, you can [have] a lot of injuries and still play. This is probably one of the smallest you can have so it's not a problem."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) October 21, 2019
After losing John Tavares for a minimum of two weeks due to a broken finger, the Toronto Maple Leafs cannot afford to lose another player due to injury.
The power play:
The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t seen a power play in a game and a half, if they get one tonight, just know the players will be well prepared.
Auston Matthews played 23:12, his second most minutes in the NHL, against the Bruins on Saturday. But, the next day, that wasn’t what he was most worried about:
“I can’t wait for our next power play. Cannot wait.”
Matthews will also likely centre a line with Mitch Marner again tonight. The two played a handful of shifts against Boston and Babcock said yesterday, “Yeah, they probably will.”
Next. Toronto Maple Leafs and Their Goalie Will Play Good at the Same Time Eventually. dark
But expect Columbus to come out flying tonight, too. The Blue Jackets are also coming off a back-to-back, where they lost both games.
If the Leafs can manage to get a power play tonight, Columbus’ night could end quickly. However, if the Blue Jackets don’t give up a power play, it will likely be an evenly matched game.