The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Dallas (8 p.m., TSN) looking to extend their winning streak to 7 games— which would be their longest in 11 years (2003).
The last time the two teams faced off, the Leafs won 3-2 off a Trevor Smith tip in overtime. Nazem Kadri scored twice in regulation.
Dallas is mired in a poor stretch of play – 2-7-1 in their last 10 games – but won their last game 4-0 over Minnesota on Tuesday. Their top line is a serious threat, with Benn and Seguin combining for 86 points between them this season, compared to JvR and Kessel’s 91. After their dynamic duo the Stars have a bit of a drop off in production, with no other player scoring at a greater than .50 points-per-game rate (compared to the six scoring at .50 or greater for the Leafs).
The Stars’ bigger issue, though, has been keeping pucks out of their net, as they sit 25th in goals against (2.96 per game). The Stars and Leafs actually stack up one behind the other in both goals for and against, with the key differences being the Leafs‘ easier Conference and their ability to collect points via shootout.
| Results |
|---|
| FINAL MTL (6) - DAL (4) |
| FINAL DET (5) - DAL (1) |
| FINAL DAL (3) - NYI (7) |
| FINAL DAL (0) - NJD (1) |
| FINAL DAL (2) - NYR (3) |
| FINAL NYI (4) - DAL (2) |
| FINAL EDM (2) - DAL (5) |
| FINAL BOS (4) - DAL (2) |
| FINAL DAL (2) - MIN (3) OT |
| FINAL DAL (1) - NSH (4) |
| FINAL MIN (0) - DAL (4) |
Toronto’s play has been remarkable of late—and specifically Phil Kessel, who has climbed up to 4th (tied) in the league for goals scored with 26. The Leafs’ No. 1 line has now amassed a stupefying 42 points in their last 12 games together. Kessel enters tonight riding a seven-game point streak (six goals, 14 points). The Leafs have won just five games without a Kessel point this season – how will the team fare when he is eventually kept quiet?
Jonathan Bernier is expected to get the start after Reimer pitched in with a great start in Colorado. Bernier is riding a four-game win streak (2.45GAA, .935SV%).
Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup
Dallas Stars Lineup
Lineups Courtesy of Dailyfaceoff
