The Toronto Maple Leafs look to rebound from their first regulation-time loss of the season tonight in Chicago (7 p.m. EST, CBC).
Despite strong starts offensively from their top six outside of Jonathan Toews — paced by Former Leaf Richard Panik©’s five goals in five games while shooting a ridiculous 71% — the Blackhawks are off to a 2-3-0 start after allowing 18 goals through five.
Remarkably, ten of those 18 goals against have come on the penalty kill. The Blackhawks have killed less than half of their penalties taken this season — 8 of 19 (42.1%) — which, as you would imagine, is easily a league-worst. That sets up favourably for a Leafs team that has seen its powerplay surge in the past two games after goals from Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Nazem Kadri on the man advantage.
The Blackhawks have had their depth beyond the top six tested early due to injuries to Marian Hossa (day to day) and Andrew Desjardins (out four-to-six weeks), necessitating the use of defenceman Brian Campbell at left wing in last night’s loss to Columbus. On the backend, the Hawks lost James’ brother Trevor van Riemsdyk to injury last night; he’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks with an arm ailment. The Hawks are currently carrying eight defencemen; Brian Campbell could return to the blue line, or Michal Roszival could draw in for his first game of the season.
The continued attrition of cap issues on Chicago’s depth has necessitated an infusion of cheap free agents and entry-level young talent into their lineup this season. Tyler Motte and Former Leaf Richard Panik© are flanking Jonathan Toews, while Ryan Hartman, Nick Schmaltz and Jordin Tootoo have been added to the bottom six. Campbell, Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny have taken up residence on the Blackhawks’ blue line.
Scoring has not been the issue for Blackhawks through five games. One of the most dangerous lines in the league last season, Artemi Panarin, Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane have been productive in the early going; as have been Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook on the blue line. He is without last change, but Mike Babcock will look to send Nazem Kadri’s line over the boards against the Kane line whenever he can. That could mean some significant time head-to-head against Jonathan Toews for Auston Matthews.
The Leafs were blown out by a combined 11-2 scoreline in their two meetings with Chicago last season. They’ve got the scoring talent to keep up better this time around, and they should benefit a little from the rest advantage tonight, but question marks surround the Leafs defence and goaltending in the early going. This will be a good test for a young Leaf club still in the early stages of working toward the sustained competitiveness the Blackhawks have achieved over the last eight years.
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines
Forwards
van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Mitch Marner
Milan Michalek – Nazem Kadri – Leo Komarov
Zach Hyman – Auston Matthews – William Nylander
Matt Martin – Peter Holland – Connor Brown
Scratched: Seth Griffith
Injured: Josh Leivo (did not travel)
Defencemen
Morgan Rielly – Connor Carrick
Jake Gardiner – Roman Polak
Matt Hunwick – Nikita Zaitsev
Scratched: Frank Corrado, Martin Marincin
Goaltenders
Starter: Frederik Andersen (Confirmed)
Backup: Jhonas Enroth
Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lines
Forwards
Tyler Motte – Jonathan Toews – Richard Panik
Artemi Panarin – Artem Anisimov – Patrick Kane
Brian Campbell – Nick Schmaltz – Ryan Hartman
Dennis Rasmussen – Marcus Kruger – Jordin Tootoo
Injured: Marian Hossa
Defensemen
Duncan Keith – Niklas Hjalmarsson
Michal Kempny – Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling – Michal Roszival
Injured: Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goaltenders
Starter: Scott Darling (Probable)
Backup: Corey Crawford
