The seriously-slumping Toronto Maple Leafs play their final game before the All-Star break tonight in Tampa Bay.
The Lightning are red hot, 7-1-0 in their last eight, but had their winning streak snapped by the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Tampa is well rested, having not played since then. Coming off a miserable performance against those same Florida Panthers, the Leafs will play their 12th game this season as a tired team (in 48 games total, so 25% of their schedule thus far) and enter tonight with a 1-8-2 record in the second game of a back to back.
This midweek back-to-back is the beginning of a second-half schedule heavy on divisional matchups in the Leafs‘ final 35 games. Four games against the Panthers (starting with last night’s loss), four more against the Lightning, three more against the Senators, three meetings with the Sabres, two more against the Bruins, and one meeting with the Habs to end the season adds up to 17 divisional games in the final 35.
On the road down south with the midseason break calling their names, the Leafs will no doubt be half in vacation mode, presenting a challenge for the coaching staff in getting their group focused. They certainly bought themselves no leeway with a miserable showing last night.
Early lineup notes:
Corrado has been a healthy scratch 37 times this season. https://t.co/iG3Rx34n32
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) January 27, 2016
Seems safe to assume Martin Marincin is coming out to make space.
Corrado has averaged just 10:34 — 18 shifts — a game in his four appearances so far, is a minus-three, and has played with a mishmash of partners, often times on his off-side. He should get an opportunity to settle into regular duty on the right side by the trade deadline, assuming Roman Polak is a few weeks away from being traded.
Last but not least, remember to attach the #BellLetsTalk hashtag to your #TMLtalk tweets tonight.
For every tweet/retweet using #BellLetsTalk Bell will donate 5¢ to Canadian mental health initiatives! pic.twitter.com/2UgOsHdUvf
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 27, 2016
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines
Michael Grabner – Nazem Kadri – Leo Komarov
Peter Holland – Tyler Bozak – PA Parenteau
Shawn Matthias – Nick Spaling – Joffrey Lupul
Daniel Winnik – Byron Froese – Rich Clune
Matt Hunwick – Morgan Rielly
Dion Phaneuf – Frank Corrado
Jake Gardiner – Roman Polak
Jonathan Bernier
James Reimer
Injured: James van Riemsdyk (foot), Stephane Robidas (lower body)
Scratched: Martin Marincin, Brad Boyes, Josh Leivo
Game Day Reading
With @MapleLeafs in town tonight, @TomWJones writes it's easy to imagine @RealStamkos91 in Toronto next year https://t.co/iJv5A4EsaR
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) January 27, 2016
They're willing to pay him, but can Tampa Bay deploy Stamkos properly too? @SportsnetSpec https://t.co/nYwVc1gxaK pic.twitter.com/BQD5KSZspH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 27, 2016
Taxes could impact Steven Stamkos signing with the Maple Leafs. Here's how: https://t.co/2J8yotuaM3 @MikeyJ_MMA pic.twitter.com/qEDYtYdvdw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 26, 2016
Story: The Leafs have begun to shop some of their players in advance of the trade deadline https://t.co/I91jj5zBEd pic.twitter.com/HLDuJsdg4k
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 25, 2016
Story: William Nylander will be back with the Marlies very soon if all goes to plan. https://t.co/pNSpXjAJtO
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) January 26, 2016
The incredible true story of @Babsocks https://t.co/2c5IrWDBjM
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 26, 2016
ICYMI: @MapleLeafs head coach Mike Babcock discussed his involvement with #BellLetsTalk: https://t.co/JoiShWVWqt pic.twitter.com/T8sCVOWxhr
— TSN 1050 Toronto (@TSN1050Radio) January 27, 2016
