The Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the San Jose Sharks tonight in Toronto.
It is the first time the Leafs have played a Western Conference team (that wasn’t Canadian) since the 2019-20 season abruptly came to an end for some reason back in 2020.
The Sharks are off to a 2-0 start, which is great, but the jury remains out on what kind of team they are at this point, since they’re chalk full of veterans who are potentially in a heavy decline.
The Leafs are 2-1-1 and have had a better start than their record indicates.
The game is for some reason at 6PM instead of the normal 7PM and the Leafs will go with Michael Hutchinson in net.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Sharks
The Sharks might be off to a 2-0 start, but they beat Winnipeg and Montreal – not exactly a couple of powerhouses. The Toronto Maple Leafs will give them their first real test, and they are likely to fail it because of Auston Matthews.
The Leafs superstar is way beyond overdue after scoring just once in the seven playoff games last spring, and failing to score on eight shots in his season debut on Monday.
Matthews is likely to go off, and the Leafs will hopefully use his breakout to overcome the fact that an injury to Petr Mrazek is forcing them to use Hutchinson.
It must be said, however, that after being the worst player in the NHL two seasons ago, Hutchinson rebounded nicely and was excellent for the Leafs last season. You never know what you’re going to get from the veteran 3rd stringer (which is why he’s a 3rd stringer) but sometimes he’s pretty good.
As to why the Leafs are starting an hour early, let us turn to Pierre LeBrun:
Reason has to do with Leafs' first game across the border Sat. First time Leafs are clearing customs in the pandemic. Leafs were informed that they can't clear customs in Toronto tonight but rather in Pittsburgh. Which might cause delays. So decision made to play an hour early. https://t.co/9FhAkYH8iX
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 22, 2021
Mystery solved!
As to the lineup, Ondrej Kase will play despite taking a shot off his foot on Monday. Timothy Liljegren is out, and Justin Holl remains in. Nick Ritchie will get at least one more chance on the top line which is sensible, because where else does he fit in the lineup?
Bunting is up with Tavares and Nylander, while Kerfoot is with Kampf and Kase on a really solid defensive line that has little bit of pop. A fourth line of Ritchie, Simmonds and Spezza seems way too slow, which means its likely success on the first line or a trip to the waiver wire for Ritchie.
I hope he works out, but I’d put money on seeing Josh Ho-Sang on this line sooner than later. Anyways, enjoy the game, hope you don’t miss the first period.