TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (34-20-2) at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (17-32-7)
WHEN: Sunday, 7 p.m.
TV: TSN4; RADIO: Sportsnet 590
ODDS:Toronto -250, Chicago +210
THE BUZZ
Both teams played Saturday, the Blackhawks whipped 5-1 in Columbus, Toronto coming close to blowing a 4-0 lead against Carolina before a 6-3 final … While the Leafs remain in the first-place hunt in their division, only the San Jose Sharks stands between Chicago and the NHL basement … Toronto captain Auston Matthews enters the game one goal shy of passing Darryl Sittler’s 389 for second in franchise history … Toronto winger Alex Steeves had his first NHL goal on Saturday and added an assist … Chicago’s young star Connor Bedard was blanked on Saturday, but hasn’t been held to two straight games without a point since before Christmas … Bedard’s next point will be his 50th.
THE NEWS
The Hawks activated defenceman Louis Crevier off injured reserve on Saturday and assigned him to AHL Rockford. Centre Jason Dickinson has been moved to IR … The Leafs are expected to start Joseph Woll for the first time since the 4 Nations Face-Off schedule break after Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves against the Hurricanes … Other Leafs who didn’t play Saturday that could get in the lineup versus Chicago are defenceman Philippe Myers and forwards Connor Dewar and Ryan Reaves … The Leafs are likely to see Arvid Soderblom in Chicago’s net. He has beaten them twice in three games … Toronto’s farm team Marlies are missing top scorer Steeves, losing their last two games without a goal.
THE POLL
Who is your favorite player to have been both a Maple Leaf and Blackhawk?
- Jim Pappin
- Ed Belfour
- Bryan McCabe
- Jake McCabe
THE QUOTE
“The minutes were all pretty good tonight, all forwards were all under 20. I’ll think about it.” – Toronto coach Craig Berube on whether he’ll come back with much the same lineup as Saturday, given most Leafs haven’t played in two weeks.
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Forwards
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg John Tavares William Nylander
Bobby McMann Max Domi Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz David Kampf Alex Steeves/Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit – Connor Timmins/Philippe Myers
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Injuries
Toronto: LW Max Pacioretty (lower body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin).
Chicago: G Laurent Brossoit (knee), C Jason Dickinson (ankle).
THE PREDICTION
The Maple Leafs find their road legs and register a 3-1 victory.