Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 11/5/17-11/11/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to bounce back from a week in which they could only manage to win one game.

The task will not be an easy one for the Leafs as they face the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild and have a home-and-home with division rivals, Boston Bruins.

The Golden Knights are second in the Pacific Division, and have been winning games despite being its top three goalies being injured. The Wild haven't exactly gotten off to the best start, but they are without Zach Parise. The Boston Bruins are feeling the injury bug themselves with six regulars out of the lineup, but the two games against them won't be a walk in the park for the Leafs.

The Leafs start the week off facing the surprising Golden Knights, who are 9-4-0 on the season. The Leafs will have to manage to stop a balanced Golden Knights team, who have four lines that can score. Toronto will need to get plenty of shots on goal since it is likely that Maxime Lagace will be playing in his fifth game on the year. The Maple Leafs need to take advantage of a weak penalty kill by the Golden Knights. The Leafs need to avoid turnovers and get off to a fast start by being up on the skates, get a forecheck and establish a cycle game early.

The Golden Knights need to attack the Leafs defense and force turnovers. Vegas also needs to get pucks on net since Frederik Andersen has been struggling to make saves. The Golden Knights should avoid the penalty box since the Leafs have two very good power play units. Vegas will also need to find a way to contain Auston Matthews. The Golden Knights need to play a solid game defensively and help out the goalie.

The Wild will visit the Leafs n Wednesday night. The Leafs must use their speed to create and get some chances in the offensive zone. Toronto needs to get the first goal of the game since the Wild have struggled when allowing the first goal of the game this season. The Maple Leafs need to play a complete 60 minute game and not take the second period off, and take advantage of the weak special teams of the Wild. The Leafs need to play a good defensive game, and the goaltenders need to make some saves.

The Wild need to be better on special teams, since they are in the middle of the pack in the NHL on both the power play and penalty kill. The Wild need to score the first goal of the game to take the crowd out of it early, and because they haven't lost a game in regulation when scoring first. The Wild need to get off to a fast start since they tend to give up a lot of goals in the third period. It would be nice for the Wild to stay out of the penalty box since the Leafs have two good power play units. The Wild need to get better play out of the goaltenders, who may need to steal a game for them.

On Friday night, the Bruins visit the Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. The Leafs need to get the first goal of the game, and have the lead after two periods. The team defense of the Maple Leafs needs to be tight and the gaps between the forwards and defensemen also need to be tight. The Leafs need to keep an eye on David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, who can both put up some points. Toronto needs to avoid the turnovers in the neutral zone and their own zone. The goalies need to come up with some big saves since this could be a crucial two points in the standings for both teams.

The Bruins need to get the first goal of the game and take the home crowd out of the game. The banged up Bruins are going to need players to step up, and produce in place of key players like David Krejci and David Backes. Boston needs to have the lead after the second period since they aren't a very good team when having to come from behind in the third period. The Bruins need to be better at even strength since they rank in the top five in special teams. Boston needs to have a good transition game since the Leafs will turn the puck over and have struggled defensively.

On Saturday night, the Leafs will make a pit stop in Boston to face the Bruins again. The Maple Leafs need to get the first goal of the game to take the crowd out of the game. Toronto need to play well at even strength since the Bruins have excellent special teams. The Leafs need to come out fast and establish the forecheck and cycle game early to spend some time in the offensive zone. The Leafs need to have a lead heading into the third period.

The Bruins need to have a strong game from its defense and goalie. They also need to attack the defense of the Leafs and force some turnovers. Boston needs to get in on the forecheck early and often. They Bruins also need to get the first goal of the game since they tend to play better with the lead and it would keep the home crowd in the game early. This game had the potential to be an entertaining one with a ton of scoring.