Jets play, Leafs rest ahead of rematch
Winnipeg looks to avenge 4-2 loss
A deletion on defence, a goal void by the league’s leading scorer and struggles on home ice did not dampen spirits in the Maple Leafs’ dressing room Friday ahead of their rematch with the Winnipeg Jets. Having struck early and played well late during the road win against the Jets on Wednesday, the Leafs were hoping to carry momentum forward. They’ll have an advantage with the NHL schedule pitting the Jets against the Red Wings in Detroit Friday night before their rematch Saturday. That could take some of the steam out of Winnipeg, which is looking to avenge a loss on the big TV stage against a Canadian rival that shares Stanley Cup aspirations. Toronto will not have defenceman Travis Dermott after he came down with an undisclosed illness. Despite being shut out in goals the past four games, Auston Matthews still had a share of the league lead in points with 16 going into Friday’s action. Saturday will be Toronto’s sixth home game, with the team going 2-3 at Scotiabank Arena, as opposed to undefeated on the road. “We seem to be more patient (on the road) and don’t press,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “I don’t know if we just try and look too cute and look too good (at home).” The goalies behind this pair of offensive powerhouses get overlooked, but Toronto’s Frederik Andersen has had the edge on Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck in recent meetings.
Andersen played a role in putting out the fire in Winnipeg as the Jets attempted a comeback, but he needs some home ice wins. Here are five things to watch for in Saturday’s game:
1. Cool your Jets
Winnipeg played in Detroit on Friday, complicating this homeand-home for coach Paul Maurice, who also won’t get last line change. This is Winnipeg’s first back-toback on an unusual road trip that ends with a trip to Helsinki to play the Panthers next Thursday.
2. Hold the line
The Leafs will be without defenceman Dermott for a second straight game and had their blueline tested when Ron Hainsey also missed a chunk of Wednesday’s game. Martin Marincin and Igor Ozhiganov, despite a weak penalty on the latter, played well.
3. Hold the Laine
Patrik Laine went into Friday’s Wings game with no points in his last three games, though he came close against Toronto with four shots and 12 overall in the past three. His three goals have all come on the power play. To be fair, Matthews has no goals in his past four, with the Leafs going 2-2.
4. Kap still on
With unsigned William Nylander now absent for 10 games and Kasperi Kapanen on Matthews’ right side for most of them, it will get harder for the Swede to dislodge Kapanen when he does return. Kapanen had a big goal Wednesday.
5. Third and goal
The Jets are still the league’s best third-period scoring team and notched a pair against the Leafs on Wednesday. A nice stat to have in your pocket if trailing after two.