GAME DAY
Leafs come home on a high to face last-place Hawks
Blackhawks (8-14-2) at Maple Leafs (14-7-2)
WHEN
Monday, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Prime, RADIO: TSN 590
ODDS
Chicago +150, Toronto – 150
THE BUZZ
Connor Bedard had one assist in the two games Chicago beat the Leafs last year, but the good news ends about there for the Blackhawks. When it’s Dec. 2 and your team is yet to crack 20 points, it portends another long season … Last year’s No. 1 pick Bedard has 19 points in 24 games to date and will be the focus of this national broadcast, but his team absorbed a 6-3 drubbing by Columbus yesterday, making it the third time in four games Toronto gets to face a team that played the day before … Bedard had a power-play goal Sunday, one of three by Chicago … Leafs could get back into first place in the Atlantic as they start three consecutive games at Scotiabank Arena … This will be the Leafs first meeting with former first-line left winger Tyler Bertuzzi, who didn’t re-sign here after 21 goals last season and one in the playoffs. So far this year, he’s at 10 points … This will be Auston Matthews’s first home game since Halloween … The Leafs are 12-0 leading after two periods, Chicago 1-11 if behind.
THE NEWS
The goalie rotation calls for Anthony Stolarz on Monday, but Joseph Woll has won five straight … Winger Nick Robertson ended a 12-game goal-less streak in Saturday’s win over Tampa Bay … Toronto coach Craig Berube might turn to Jani Hakanpaa after staying with the sane defence for a few games … It will be winger Mitch Marner’s 600th NHL game.
THE QUOTE
“He looked good. We’re looking to him to be a leader for us, create momentum and drive the bus.” – winger Matthew Knies on the return of Auston Matthews on Saturday.
THE POLL
Which two Original Six logos look best in a game?
Chicago – Toronto
Boston – Montreal
Rangers – Detroit
Toronto – Montreal
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews William Nylander
Pontus Holmberg John Tavares Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson Fraser Minten Steven Lorentz
Nikita Grebenkin Connor Dewar Alex Nylander
Defence
Morgan Rielly Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit Conor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Injuries
Toronto: LW Bobby McMann (lower body), LW Max Domi (lower body), C David Kampf (lower body), LW Max Pacioretty (leg), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), RW Ryan Reaves (suspended).
Chicago: G Laurent Brossoit (knee), D Seth Jones (foot).
The prediction:
Leafs win comfortably, 4-1.
X: @sunhornby Leafs