3 Things: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning 2/26/18

The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a pivotal game in the Atlantic Division standings tonight.  The Leafs are just four points behind the Bolts, and both teams made deadline deals.

Here are three things to look for in tonight's game:

1.) SPECIAL TEAMS- MAPLE LEAFS

The Maple Leafs will need to have a stellar game on special teams since their even strength play isn't spectacular. They have allowed and scored 149 even strength goals this year. The Leafs need to keep the second best power play unit off the board, while taking advantage of one of the League's worst penalty kills. Toronto needs to apply a ton of pressure and get pucks on net when on the power play.

2.) FORECHECK- LIGHTNING

The Lightning should establish their forecheck game early and often against the Leafs. Toronto will turn the puck over and make mistakes when under pressure. The Bolts need to attack the puck carrier and make sure that he is under pressure when skating up the ice or trying to clear the defensive zone. Tampa Bay needs to be aware of being to overly aggressive though because that could lead to odd man rushes through the neutral zone for the Leafs, who have a ton of speed.

3.) MITCH MARNER VS. BRAYDEN POINT- LEAFS & LIGHTNING

Mitch Marner has been on absolute fire of late so much so that he went from being on the fourth line to now playing on the top line with Auston Matthews out of the lineup. Marner has gotten his confidence back and is creating and scoring goals because he is using his speed. Brayden Point has been an important part of the Bolts team since the beginning of the season. He plays even strength minutes and on the power play unit and now with the loss of Vladimir Namestnikov, he could see even more ice time. These two young kids will be two players to keep an eye on during tonight's game.