Tampa Bay Lightning (25-16-3) at Toronto Maple Leafs (29-16-2)
When: Monday, 7:30 p.m., Scotiabank Arena
TV: Prime Video Radio: TSN 1050
Odds: Lightning +104, Maple Leafs -128
The buzz
As the Maple Leafs went about dismantling the Montreal Canadiens in the second and third periods on Saturday night in a 7-3 win, the Lightning was beating the Detroit Red Wings 5-1 at home for its third win in four games … Tampa Bay’s ability to put the puck in the net should serve as an intriguing test for the Leafs. The Lightning leads the National Hockey League with an average of 3.66 goals a game and its plus-39 goal differential is the third-best … After going pointless in consecutive games on Jan. 2 and Jan. 4, Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov is on an eight-game scoring streak with 14 points (four goals and 10 assists). Kucherov has feasted on the Leafs in his career, recording 45 points (19 goals and 26 assists) in 36 games. He has more career points against only Ottawa (50 in 36) and Detroit (49 in 37) … Leafs captain Auston Matthews has seven goals in eight games since returning from an upper-body injury, a pace that would result in 72 goals in 82 games. Matthews has 13 goals in 24 career games against the Lightning … Memo to Mitch Marner if the Lightning goes on a power play: Your speed and guile could come in handy, as Tampa has allowed an NHL-high eight shorthanded goals … The Leafs have won the two previous meetings — 5-3 in Tampa on Nov. 30 and 5-2 in Toronto on Oct. 21.
The news
The Leafs enjoyed a scheduled day off on Sunday, so word of any potential lineup changes will come at the morning skate on Monday … Marner’s two assists in Montreal brought him to 495 in his National Hockey League career, moving him past Dave Keon (493) and into fourth place on the Leafs franchise list. Only Borje Salming (620), Mats Sundin (567) and Darryl Sittler (527) assisted on more Leafs goals … Matthews is two assists shy of 300 for his career … Max Domi played in his 700th NHL game against the Canadiens. He has 320 to go to catch his dad, Tie, who played in 1,020 NHL games with the Leafs, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.
The quote
“He had some crazy saves. He has been dialled in this season.”
— William Nylander on Joseph Woll’s 32-save performance in Montreal on Saturday night
The poll
Of the teams in a battle for an Eastern Conference wildcard berth, which would you prefer to see the Leafs, provided they win the Atlantic Division, get in the first round?
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
Matthew Knies / Auston Matthews / Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann / Max Domi / William Nylander
Max Pacioretty / Pontus Holmberg /Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz / David Kampf / Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly / Philippe Myers
Jake McCabe / Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson / Conor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
The injuries
TOR: G Anthony Stolarz (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), C John Tavares (lower body).
TB: D J.J. Moser (lower body), D Erik Cernak (undisclosed).
The prediction
The Leafs make it three in a row against the Lightning. 4-3 the final.
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