The Leafs are looking to stay undefeated in regulation on the road (3-0-1) in tonight’s meeting with the Western Conference’s last place team the Arizona Coyotes.
The Coyotes have been a middle of the road possession team getting let down by its defense and especially its goaltending in the early going. Mike Smith’s .873 leaves him fourth from the bottom in save percentage among goaltenders with a minimum of 3 starts. Expected to start tonight, the Leafs would be wise to test him early and often.
The Coyotes will be feeling a little better about themselves having most recently picked up a win in a high-scoring affair in Washington. Coach Dave Tippett tried out a new line with rookie Tobias Reider (who scored in his first ever NHL game), Shane Doan and Antoine Vermette, and the trio combined for four goals in a 6-5 win.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Leaf powerplay can wake up against a reeling Coyotes penalty kill. The Leafs’ PP has just two goals on its last 20 man-advantage opportunities, but the Coyotes have been killing just 50% over their last 10 powerplays against. If the Leafs’ PP struggles keep up, do the Leafs keep the new top line in tact on the first powerplay unit? It’s surely only a matter of time unless the results change soon.
This should be a good chance for the Leafs’ hot sticks to stay hot against the league’s worst team in goals against; Phil Kessel has 9 points in his hast 5 games, JvR enters the game with 4 points in his last 5, Kadri has 3 points in his last 2, and Daniel Winnik has six points in his last 5.
The Coyotes are the second best faceoff team in the League, a test for a Leafs team that is improving in this area after finishing last season in the bottom five; the Leafs currently sit 13th at 50.3% faceoff success rate.
In terms of threats to watch out for on the Coyotes, Yandle and Ekman-Larsson off the blueline are in need of attention as much as any of the forwards on the Phoenix roster; the pair have combined for 19 points through 11 games.
Maple Leafs Lineup Tonight (projected)
The Leaf lines are expected to remain the same for the Leafs after a nice win versus the Blackhawks. Here was an interesting comment from JvR today on his new line with Tyler Bozak and David Clarkson:
JVR on new-look line: "When you play with Phil you try & get him the puck as much as possible whereas now we're sharing it more"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 4, 2014
JVR on challenge of playing without Kessel: "You got to be versatile as a player & make yourself dangerous whenever you're out there"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 4, 2014
The old top line certainly became predictable, but that seems to have changed with the added creativity dynamic of Kadri as Kessel’s center. While the 2nd line still seems like it is getting used to playing together, the balance seems improved in the limited sample so far.
Forwards
Winnik – Kadri – Kessel
van Riemsdyk – Bozak – Clarkson
Komarov – Holland – Santorelli
Ashton – Carrick – Panik
Defence
Phaneuf – Franson
Rielly – Polak
Gardiner – Robidas
Goal
Bernier
Remier
