Friday, November 10, 2017

3 Keys: Bruins @ Maple Leafs- 11/10/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will play host to the Boston Bruins tonight. The Leafs are coming off of a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night, while the Bruins are coming off of a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.

Here are three keys to this Atlantic Division matchup:

1.) EVEN STRENGTH PLAY- MAPLE LEAFS

The Leafs are going to need to play a solid game at even strength and avoid costly turnovers. The Bruins are in the top six of the NHL in both power play and penalty kill percentage. Toronto has played okay at even strength but could be better this year. Auston Matthews missed Wednesday's game with an upper body injury, and could very well miss both of the home-and-home game with the Bruins. should that happen then players need to step up to help produce. The Maple Leafs will need to be strong on the puck, win the board battles and establish a forecheck early in the game to win the battle at even strength.

2.) SPECIAL TEAMS- BRUINS

The Bruins have been very good on special teams this season so far, and that will need to continue against the Leafs. Boston is has converted on 12 of its 51 power play opportunities, but they have also given up two shorthanded goals. The Bruins power play is operating at 23.5%, which is good for sixth in the League. Boston have only allowed six power play goals against while being shorthanded 48 times this year, and they have also scored twice while on the penalty kill. The Bruins will need to continue its stellar special teams play since the Leafs have a decent power play themselves, and can put the puck in the net.

5.) GOALTENDING- MAPLE LEAFS & BRUINS

The goalies for each team have been decent this season, but they could be better in making some timely saves. Tuukka Rask has been the main goalie for the Bruins this year and is 3-5-2 is 10 games played this year. He has a 2.76 goals against average, .903 save percentage and as allowed 27 goals. Anton Khudobin is 3-0-1 in five games played, and has a 2.52 goals against and a .926 save percentage. Frederik Andersen is 9-6-0 in 15 games this year to go with a 3.33 goals against and .898 save percentage. Andersen has let in some soft goals this year at key times during games. Curtis McElhinney has only played in two games, and has allowed eight goals.


No comments:

Post a Comment