The Toronto Maple Leafs look to gain some ground on their Atlantic Division foes this week in the race for playoff positioning while in the comfort of their own arena.
The Leafs will start the week by taking on a very deep Anaheim Ducks team tonight. Toronto will then play Wednesday night against a stacked Nashville Predators team, who is also battling for playoff positioning in the West. The Maple Leafs end the week on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators, who look to play the role of spoiler and steal two points from the Leafs.
Toronto will want to come out prepared to play since the Ducks like to play a physical brand of hockey. The Leafs should establish the forecheck early and get their cycle game going to make the Ducks defend instead of spending time defending themselves. The Maple Leafs need to stop a very balanced lineup of the Ducks, who can put the puck in the net especially with some chances. Toronto should try to draw some penalties even though the Ducks have a decent penalty kill because that will disrupt the momentum and lines of Anaheim since certain players are on the penalty kill. The Leafs need to be aware of when and where Richard Rakell is on the ice at all times since he is the leading scorer for the Ducks this year.
Anaheim needs to play a solid road game and everyone needs to have their A game tonight. The Ducks want to play a consistent game, not be good for 40 minutes and then start giving up goals in the third period like they have been this year. Anaheim will need a good game from the goalie tonight since the Leafs use their speed to create and will get their chances. The Ducks should try to have a better third period since they have been out scored 55-49 in the final periods of games this year. Anaheim wants to play a strong game at even strength since the Leafs have really goood special teams numbers this year and the Ducks are mediocre on special teams.
The Maple Leafs will take on the defending Western Conference Champions on Wednesday night at the ACC. Toronto will want to use their speed to create and draw some penalties to take the Preds off of their game a little bit. The Leafs should try to win the special teams battle since the Preds have been good at even strength hockey this year. The Maple Leafs need to have the lead entering the final period since the Predators aren't a good team when entering the final period trailing. The Leafs starting goalie will need to come up with some big saves to keep his team in the game. Toronto shouldn't take their foot off the gas pedal, but just attacking no matter the score.
The Preds need to get off to a good start in this game, set the tone early and get that first goal to take the home crowd out of the game. Nashville wants to have the lead entering the third period since they are 0-10-2 when trailing after two periods. The Predators should be aware of the speed and creativity of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner when those two are on the ice. The Preds will want to stay away from the penalty box since the Leafs have a decent power play. Nashville should try to establish the forecheck and be a little physical early in the game to try to stop the speed of the Leafs.
Toronto ends their week with a visit from the Ottawa Senators, who have had a disappointing season. The Leafs need to make sure that they don't take their opponent lightly and not play down to their level. Toronto should establish the transition game early and often to get some odd man rushes to test the starting goalie early. The Maple Leafs needs to force some turnovers since the Senators will turn it over, but the Leafs also need to make sure that they take care of the puck since the Sens do have a decent amount of takeaways on the year too. The Leafs need to be aware of Erik Karlsson and take advantage of a weak penalty kill of the Sens.
The Senators should try to get the first goal of the game and set the tone early. Ottawa wants to get to the net and try to get in the goalie's sight line to deflect pucks. The Sens need to be the better team at even strength since they have had problems on the penalty kill this year. Ottawa will want to play solid defense and make sure that they have their man covered and not let the Leafs get behind them for an odd man rush. The Senators need to get in on the forecheck to spend some time in the offensive zone.
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