Sparks set to start 4th straight game

Garret Sparks will welcome in the New Year in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ net on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

With No. 1 goaltender Frederik Andersen continuing to nurse a groin injury, Sparks will be in goal against the Minnesota Wild.

“No update on Freddie,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said Wednesday. “He is on the ice, he is doing his thing, he is feeling pretty good. I don’t ask him. When they tell me (Andersen is ready), I will know.”

On Wednesday, Andersen and winger Zach Hyman, recovering from a sprained ankle, were on the ice together but departed before their teammates gathered for their first practice of 2019.

Sparks will start for the fourth game in a row.

Here are 5 Things to Watch when Toronto (26-112) host Minnesota (18-17-3) at Scotiabank Arena at 2 p.m. Thursday:

1. Stop Staal

The Wild’s Eric Staal has 25 points in 37 games and continues to enjoy a resurgence to an extent after his career hit the skids in a brief tenure with the New York Rangers in 2015-16. Staal used to light up the Leafs during his Carolina days with 51 points in 46 career games versus Toronto.

2. Rest Time is Over

The Leafs want to start 2019 properly as January offers a favourable schedule. Playing with proper structure and effort from the opening faceoff would put them in the right direction. It’s the first of seven home games in the month, with just three on the road. “I would like to think we’re excited to get back at it with a pretty good schedule ahead of us,” centre John Tavares said.

3. Evening Out

At five on five, the Leafs have 100 goals for and 72 against; the Wild has 70 for and 72 against. The Leafs’ talent has a chance to outshine the group that Minnesota will ice.

4. A Wild Run

Minnesota arrives in Toronto trying to put a difficult month of December firmly in the past. Starting with a loss on Dec. 1 at home against the Leafs, the Wild went 4-8-1 and scored just 10 goals in its past seven games. “I don’t really care if you’re positive or frustrated, whatever gets you going,” Wild captain Mikko Koivu said on Wednesday. “At the end, it’s the work ethic that gets you through it individually and as a team. It’s all about that.”

5. Long Memories?

Despite losing to the Leafs just more than a month ago, the Wild was the better team in St. Paul, limiting Toronto to 23 shots on goal, tied for the second-fewest they had in a game this season. The Leafs were opportunistic with five goals and know they will have to fight for each inch. “They’re a really good team defensively, they don’t give you much space,” Leafs centre Auston Matthews said.