Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 3/11/18-3/17/18

The Toronto Maple Leafs will finally get to play some games this week after playing just three games in the last 11 days.

The Leafs will still have off until Wednesday night, but then play three games in four days. It won't be an easy stretch as they'll face the Dallas Stars as home on Wednesday night. The Leafs will then travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Thursday night. Toronto will finish the week on Saturday night at home against the Montreal Canadiens.

Toronto will want to use their speed in transition to create odd man rushes and draw penalties. The Leafs should try to get involved early in this game and create chances. The Maple Leafs need a good game from the goaltender with no soft goals and not allowing everything to get past him. Toronto should try to win the battle at even strength since this game could very well come down to even strength goals.

Dallas  will need to contain the speed of the Maple Leafs since they have plenty of it. The Stars want to play a good game in the neutral zone by limiting mistakes and turnovers. Dallas needs the goaltending to be very good in this game and not allow any soft goals. The Stars should watch Patrick Marleau since he has 65 career points in 101 games played against the Stars.

The Sabres need to limit their mistakes with and without the puck since the Leafs have the ability to finish. Buffalo will want to play the game with some discipline since their penalty kill has been in the bottom of the League for a majority of the season. The Sabres need to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking along with getting shots on net since Freddie Andersen has been giving up some goals lately. Buffalo will need a solid 60 minute effort if they hope to gain two points in the standings.

The Leafs need to find a way to win in Buffalo. They lost lost 5-3 on March 5, which has been the only time the two teams have met so far this year. The Maple Leafs needs to get off to a good start by getting pucks on net, getting scoring chances, pressuring the Sabres players into turning the puck over. Toronto will want to be engaged in this game from the drop of the puck. The Leafs will want to get the first goal of the game and take the home crowd out of the game. Toronto will want to establish their forecheck and cycle game early and often in this one to keep the Sabres hemmed in their own zone.

The Leafs will need to get off to a fast start against the Canadiens on Saturday night. Toronto will need to pressure the puck carrier to force some turnovers. The Maple Leafs will want to limit their mistakes and get plenty of shots on goal.

The Canadiens will also want to get off to a good start and try to get the first goal of the game. The Habs will want to have the led entering the final period of the game. Montreal will need the starting goaltender to step up his game and make some saves to keep them in the game.