Toronto Maple Leafs (24-35-11, 30th in NHL) vs. Buffalo Sabres (29-33-10, 24th in NHL)
Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Arena: Air Canada Centre
Watch: CBC HNIC
Game Day Notes
– Slightly surprising that, with Peter Holland out hurt and Brooks Laich taking a personal leave, the Leafs have recalled Frederik Gauthier to fill in at centre rather than Sam Carrick. Gauthier, by Babcock’s own admission, is at least a year away still and will need to continue to work on his pace and offensive game at the AHL level. Sam Carrick has been a man on fire since returning from injury, playing all situations and contributing seven goals in his last 11 games. The Leafs will have to make a decision on Carrick at the end of the season with his contract set to expire. No real harm in taking a look at Freddy in the dog days of the season, but it’s a bit surprising.
– Same goes for Garret Sparks starting when Jonathan Bernier has played well in three consecutive — he’s let in three goals in three games and two were total screwballs deflected in by his own teammates — but the Leafs are clearly trying to figure out if there’s NHL potential in Sparks with his ELC expiring at season’s end. Sparks has a .884 save percentage over his last five games.
– Babcock on Gauthier today: “Every time I looked at him today at him he was 6-foot-5. I like that. He’s a great big man; the question is always going to be pace. Can he get up and down the rink? Every coach he has had plays him all the time. That must mean he’s good defensively and he has a good hockey IQ. You don’t play the minutes he did in junior and the World Junior and this season with the Marlies unless you have good hockey sense.”
Who’s Hot
- Michael Grabner: 3 points (1g,2a) in last 3 games
Who’s Cold
- Nazem Kadri: 0 points in last 4 games
- Frank Corrado: 0 points in last 7 games
- Garret Sparks: 1-3-1, .884 SV% in last 5 starts
Matchup Stats
| Overall Stats | Buf | Tor |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 66 | 59 |
| Record % | 0.465 | 0.421 |
| Home Winning % | 0.417 | 0.403 |
| Away Winning % | 0.485 | 0.333 |
| Shootout Winning % | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Goal Differential Per Game | -0.28 | -0.59 |
| Shot Differential Per Game | -1.01 | 0.87 |
| Hits Per Game | 23.3 | 27.2 |
| PIM Per Game | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Opponent PIM Per Game | 10.1 | 8.5 |
| Goals Per Game | 2.35 | 2.27 |
| Even Strength Goals Per Game | 1.69 | 1.8 |
| Power Play Goals Per Game | 0.59 | 0.46 |
| Shots Per Game | 29.8 | 31.2 |
| Shots Per Goal | 12.7 | 13.7 |
| Team Shooting % | 7.90% | 7.30% |
| Power Play % | 19.00% | 14.60% |
| Goals Against Per Game | 2.63 | 2.86 |
| ES Goals Against Per Game | 2.1 | 2.14 |
| PP Goals Against Per Game | 0.49 | 0.63 |
| Shots Against Per Game | 30.86 | 30.33 |
| Shots Against Per Goal | 11.72 | 10.62 |
| Opp. Team Shooting % | 8.50% | 9.40% |
| Penalty Kill % | 81.30% | 80.90% |
| Save % | 0.915 | 0.906 |
| Goals Against Average | 2.6 | 2.81 |
| Shutouts | 2 | 4 |
| Opponent Save % | 0.921 | 0.927 |
| Opponent Goals Against Average | 2.32 | 2.23 |
| Opponent Shutouts | 6 | 8 |
Mike Babcock Game Day
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines
Michael Grabner – Nazem Kadri – Nikita Soshnikov
Zach Hyman – William Nylander – PA Parenteau
Josh Leivo – Frederik Gauthier – Connor Brown
Colin Greening – Ben Smith – Milan Michalek
Morgan Rielly – Martin Marincin
Jake Gardiner – Connor Carrick
Rinat Valiev – Frank Corrado
Starting Goalie: Garret Sparks
Jonathan Bernier
Injured: Leo Komarov (lower body), Stephane Robidas (lower body), James van Riemsdyk (fractured foot), Joffrey Lupul (sports hernia surgery), Byron Froese(lower body), Matt Hunwick (sports hernia), Tyler Bozak (concussion), Brad Boyes (upper body), Peter Holland (upper body), Leo Komarov (lower body)
Buffalo Sabres Projected Lines
Evander Kane – Ryan O’Reilly – Nicolas Deslauriers
Zemgus Girgensons – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno – Johan Larsson – Brian Gionta
Cal O’Reilly – David Legwand – Matt Moulson
Josh Gorges – Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe – Zach Bogosian
Mark Pysyk – Carlo Colaiacovo
Starting Goalie: Chad Johnson
Nathan Lieuwen
Injuries: Robin Lehner (ankle), Cody Franson (neck), Tyler Ennis (concussion),Cody McCormick (blood clot)
Scratches: None
