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In tonight’s recreation towards the Washington Capitals, Maple Leafs followers ought to search for a strong response following a vastly disappointing efficiency towards the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Head coach Sheldon Keefe expects a better effort and (surprisingly) extra maturity from his gamers after the 6-3 loss.
Twice Toronto held one-goal leads and misplaced them with their expensive errors and torpid defensive play. Auston Matthews is sitting at an NHL-leading 59 goals this season, and he might hit the 60 mark tonight because the Maple Leafs attempt to reignite their offensive fireplace. However, they’ll want a collective response from their depth gamers within the absence of Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly.
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The Capitals weren’t anticipated to make the playoffs when the season started. Instead, it appeared they might attempt to steadiness Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL purpose whole whereas the group rebuilds. Yet, former Maple Leafs assistant Spencer Carbery has them doing the entire above and battling for a playoff spot.
The Capitals misplaced to Toronto final week and will current a tricky problem. Ovechkin stays a harmful scorer, and the Maple Leafs should step up defensively. For the guests, the playoff race is intense, and each win is essential to their hopes.
Item One: Joseph Woll to Start Against the Capitals
Joseph Woll is ready to take the crease tonight. He’ll have an opportunity to bounce again after his powerful recreation towards the Devils, the place he stopped solely 19 of 24 pictures. Statistically, it was one of many worst video games of his profession.
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With a report of 10-9-1 this season, Woll will intention to enhance towards a stunning Capitals group that has received six of their final seven video games. Given the burden of this one recreation for each groups – it means rather more to the Capitals than the Maple Leafs – it’d flip right into a troublesome match for the Maple Leafs. Two issues: first, Woll can be trying to make an announcement between the pipes, and second, the group’s management – which was panned by Keefe – will probably reply onerous.
Item Two: Ilya Samsonov Ready to Return for Maple Leafs
Things had been too quiet on the Ilya Samsonov entrance. However, he emerged from the shadows yesterday. We discovered that his harm was a calf contusion – a bruise to the muscle tissues within the calf space ensuing from direct trauma or influence.
Second, we discovered that Samsonov is able to play – at the very least, that’s his proclamation. With a report of 19-6-7 this season, extra readability about his return is a welcomed growth for the Maple Leafs. His play has been strong since his reset, and he’ll bolster the group’s goaltending depth.
Depending on how Woll performs tonight, the group has 11 video games remaining to determine their goalie scenario earlier than the postseason. Martin Jones remains to be on the roster and is as much as the problem if known as upon in an emergency. Will Samsonov reclaim the beginning place if he stays wholesome?
These are the three goalies who will carry the group into the postseason. While a major a part of the Blue & White fanbase is lower than happy with that actuality, one by no means is aware of who would possibly go on a heater in web in the course of the playoffs.
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[As an aside, remember Anton Khudobin grabbing the spotlight with the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs when starter Ben Bishop was injured. He started 24 of the Stars’ 27 games during their run to the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. On that run, which the Lightning eventually won, Khudobin went 14-10 with a 2.69 goals-against average and .917 save percentage and one shutout.]
Item Three: Mitch Marner to Miss More Games With His Ankle Injury
Mitch Marner’s return must wait a bit longer. Word yesterday was that he could be out for 2 extra video games attributable to his ankle harm. That means he’ll miss the Capitals tonight and Saturday’s Buffalo Sabres recreation. However, he’s anticipated to apply full-out on Friday.
He appears to be gearing up for a return towards the Florida Panthers on Monday. After lacking so many video games, can Marner return to kind? He had put up 19 factors in his previous 12 video games, together with seven power-play factors.
Item Four: Morgan Rielly’s Status Is Uncertain for Tonight’s Game
There’s nonetheless uncertainty about when Morgan Rielly can be prepared for recreation motion. He’ll probably be out for tonight’s recreation, however even when he’s prepared, the Maple Leafs would possibly err on the aspect of warning to see how their different defensemen can play in his absence. Rielly missed the Devils recreation, and his availability for tonight is perhaps a game-time choice.
Rielly has been a major contributor to the Maple Leafs’ offense this season, with seven targets and 44 assists (for 51 factors) in 65 video games.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
After the Capitals recreation tonight, the group will journey to Buffalo to play the Sabres on Saturday. They will return house to host the Panthers on Monday (April 1), adopted by a match towards the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. Then, they’ve just a few days off earlier than they journey to play the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, April 6.
The key for the Maple Leafs over the following 5 video games can be to regain their consistency and defensive focus. They should tighten up defensively, reduce turnovers, and capitalize on scoring alternatives. Additionally, they need to keep self-discipline and composure all through every recreation, particularly in vital moments.
Finally, getting Marner and Rielly again from harm could be a major enhance to the group’s play. Overall, if the Maple Leafs hope to play nicely in the course of the postseason, they should play sensible, disciplined hockey to win video games and solidify their playoff confidence.
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