Samsonov Looks to Battle Back: Leafs Game Preview 8

The Leafs face off tonight against the Nashville Predators and will see a familiar face against them as recent deadline addition Ryan O’Reilly joined the Predators in the off-season. Luke Schenn also joined the Predators but will be unable to suit up due to injury. The Leafs have now won 3 games straight and will look to add a 4th game in a row as they try to continue developing systems and seeing their game start to take more shape. There’s lots to highlight for tonight’s game, but it’d be a shame, not to mention the hot start John Tavares and William Nylander have both had with points in 7 straight games. They will both look to try to extend their point streaks tonight. Morgan Rielly has also had a great start with the Leafs and will look to continue building momentum. There’s lots more to keep an eye on tonight, so be sure to read on as we have the lineup and players to watch below.

Leafs Projected Lineup

Three Things to Look Out For

Samsonov

Ilya Samsonov has had a tough start to the season. He’s been letting in more goals than both he and the coaching staff would like, and Joseph Woll is playing a composed and elite-level game. This makes things hard for Samsonov as he looks to battle back and push for more playing time. Samsonov has seemed slower and has been beaten on relatively clean looks. While the Leafs haven’t played a complete and sound defensive game in front of him, we need to see an increase in saves on shots where he has vision. Samsonov will look to battle back tonight and be a contributing factor for the Leafs. It’s not fair to write him off yet, but Woll is pushing for playing time, so Samsonov needs to start pushing back.

Lagesson

With Jake McCabe out with a minor groin injury, William Lagesson received a call-up. The 27-year-old Swedish defenseman finds himself the first defense call-up for the Leafs largely due to a strong showing in training camp and a solid start with the Marlies. Lagesson is a tall defenseman who has decent size and skill. His defensive game is relatively sound, and he will be looking to show that at the NHL level. He has some physicality, but that hasn’t been a highlight of his game. Look out for number 85, William Lagesson, tonight as he looks to play a sound game defensively and maybe even contribute to some offense.

Bertuzzi

Tyler Bertuzzi has had a slow start so far for the Leafs but is coming off of his strongest game of the season. Bertuzzi is a natural playmaker with lots of talent, who was assumed by many to be the winger that Matthews and Marner needed to have a monster year. So far, that hasn’t gone fully to plan, but Bertuzzi seems to be finding his game with red-hot Tavares and Nylander. Bertuzzi meshing on this line could really help the Leafs, as I’m sure they would like to firm up some of their lines. Keep an eye on Bertuzzi as he looks to continue building game after game.

The Leafs wear their flipside jerseys tonight as they face off against the Predators at 7 pm EST on CBC!

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