The Leafs will face the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs and Blackhawks will be an interesting matchup since they have each scored 15 goals in two games to start the season.
The Maple Leafs need to play a solid defensive game or it could be along game for this team. They have the ability to put the puck in the net, but so do the Blackhawks. Toronto will want to get shots on goals and test Anton Forsberg early because this will be his first game action of the year. Toronto needs to get the first goal and be smart with the puck, avoiding those pesky turnovers. The Maple Leafs are going to have to keep an eye on Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith since they all have decent career numbers against Toronto.
The Blackhawks are of to a good start especially offensively, but they haven't given up much defensively either. The Hawks are going to want to pressure the defense of the Leafs especially the third pairing if the two rookies, Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen, start the game. Connor Carrick is a game-time decision for the Leafs after suffering an injury last game. Chicago is going to have to watch out for the speed of the Maple Leafs, who create a lot off the use of its speed. The Blackhawks are going to have to capitalize on the mistakes that the Leafs are going to make.
On Wednesday night, the Devils make the trip to Air Canada Centre. The Leafs are going to need to stop the speed of the Devils and keep an eye on the defense since they aren't afraid to join the offensive play. Toronto needs to get the first goal to keep the crowd in the game and keep the top six of the Devils off the board. They'll need to play a smart game and keep the turnovers to a minimum because the Devils can and will make a team pay for turnovers.
New Jersey needs to attack the Leafs and make it hard for them to get through the neutral zone with speed. The Devils need to play a sound, defensive road game because Toronto has no problem a fast-paced back-and-forth pond hockey type game. New Jersey needs to elevate the puck and get rebounds chances since both Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney have good career numbers against them. If the Devils can get the first goal then they'll need to keep attacking and not sit back for the rest of the game.
The Maple Leafs end their week with a divisional match against the Habs in Montreal. The Maple Leafs need to get off to a fast start that includes a decent forecheck and cycle game. Toronto needs to make sure that they have the lead after the first period, and if they do, don't take their feet off the gas. The Leafs need to get pucks on net whenever they have the chance and get traffic in front of the opposing goalie. Toronto is going to need to keep an eye on Tomas Plekanec since he has had a ton of success in his career against the them (69 gp,16 g, 27a, 43 its).
The Habs need to find a way to score some goals, which is not something new they are facing. They also had a lack of offense last year, but Carey Price bailed them out most games. Montreal needs to get the power play going, and start throwing pucks on net. The Habs are dangerous on the penalty kill as they already have two shorthanded goals for this year compared to their one goal at even strength. They need to get the first goal and build off of its momentum and the home crowd.
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