The Leafs head to Motor City tonight as they play the Red Wings, who are on a four-game win streak. The Leafs will look to snap that streak to put theirs to four games while hopefully extending Marner’s point streak to 17 games.
Leafs Projected Lineup
Forwards
Bunting – Matthews – Nylander
Järnkrok – Tavares – Marner
Kerfoot- Holmberg – Malgin
Aston-Reese – Kämpf – Engvall
Defense
Giordano – Holl
Sandin – Liljegren
Mete – Hollowell
Goalies
Murray
Källgren
Red Wings Projected Lineup
Forwards
Kubalik – Larkin – Perron
Bertuzzi – Copp – Raymond
Erne – Rasmussen – Sundqvist
Berggren – Veleno – Suter
Defense
Chiarot – Seider
Maatta – Hronek
Walman – Oesterle
Goalies
Husso
Nedeljkovic
Three Things to Look Out For
Murray
Matt Murray has played exceptionally well since coming back from his injury. He looks big in the net and is able to use his strength to help make saves that he isn’t expected to make. His solid play seems to have boosted the team’s confidence, so I’m sure he is looking to have another solid performance tonight. I’m sure many people will also be watching to see if Murray’s net gets dislodged again, as it seems he has drawn quite a bit of attention with the nets coming off recently.
Matthews
After some missed opportunities in the first period and the start of the second in the last game, many fans were questioning whether Matthews was okay, if he’d peaked as a player already, or if he was playing injured. He ended the game with an impressive three-point night, topping it off with a goal. Matthews may not have the same goal production at 5-on-5 this year and has a lower shooting percentage too, but he is still playing quite well. His game has continued to develop throughout the year, and we are seeing him play a more physical, well-rounded game. I wouldn’t be worried about Matthews.
Hollowell
Tonight will be Hollowell’s 4th game in the NHL. So far, he has looked serviceable for a rookie. But he has made some mistakes that rookies typically make, as he had some minutes against Malkin and even Crosby last game. Hollowell should continue to get more comfortable in the NHL, although he likely won’t be with the Leafs after Brodie’s injury return.
You can watch today’s game live at 7:00 pm EST on Sportsnet!
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