Five things to watch for between Jets, Leafs
TORON TO • Although neither player has any interest in the comparison, whenever the top two picks of the 2016 NHL Draft get together, the spotlight shines on Jets sniper Patrik Laine and Leafs centre Auston Matthews.
Laine is second in the NHL in goals, but has gone five games without a point. Matthews missed 20 games due to injury, but had 30 goals and 54 points in 57 games prior to Friday’s contest against the Islanders in New York.
Laine has five goals and six points in three career games against the Maple Leafs and Matthews has a goal and six points in three games against the Jets.
And don’t forget Mitch Marner, who is on the verge of becoming one of t he youngest leading scorers in Leaf history. Prior to Friday’s game against the Islanders, Marner had 14 points in his past 10 games.
Mark Scheifele scored his 23rd goal of the campaign in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to Chicago and has two goals and seven points in six games. He’ll see a steady dose of Nazem Kadri on Saturday. Kadri has put together consecutive 30-goal seasons and relishes going up against the opposition’s best offensive players.
Here are five things to watch for in Saturday’s tilt between Canada’s lone playoff-bound clubs:
1. Stastny Soaring
Who says moving to Winnipeg is a chore? Forward Paul Stastny has made the most of the trade from St. Louis, with 10 points in 14 games. He’ll be up against old off- season friends Tyler Bozak and Roman Polak.
2. Solve the backup
The Leafs are expected to turn to backup goalie Curtis McElhinney, who is having an outstanding season — posting a record of 10- 41, with a 2.09 goals- against average and .935 save percentage with three shutouts in 16 games (13 starts).
3. Beware of JVR
Maple Leafs left- winger James van Riemsdyk is a pending unrestricted free agent and he’s expected to cash in this summer after putting together an outstanding season. Going into Friday’s game, van Riemsdyk led the Maple Leafs with a career-high 35 goals and has 53 points in 73 games. He has four goals and 17 points in 23 career games against the Jets.
4. Streak Over
Jets captain Blake Wheeler had his seven-game point streak snapped by Chicago. Add in losing to the Blackhawks’ unlikely goaltending combination of rookie Collin Delia and 36- year- old emergency replacement Scott Foster and the Jets might have a chip on their shoulder.
5. Long Memories?
These teams haven’t met since October, when Toronto withstood eight Winnipeg power plays and romped 7-2. Patrick Marleau scored a pair that night.