Goalies take centre stage
Lundqvist key as Leafs host Rangers, writes
With apologies to Toronto TORONTO Maple Leafs Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Bowen, Saturday’s Toronto-New York Rangers game will revolve around the professors of the polyester pavilions.
In other words, this one should be all about the goaltending battle between New York’s Henrik Lundqvist and Toronto’s Frederik Andersen.
In Lundqvist’s last start, a shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, he was giving a lively pep talk to his bench during a sloppy stretch, a necessity in this challenging year for the Blueshirts.
While many don’t think the roster as a whole has what it takes to make the playoffs, they continue to hang around in the first half and that’s often due to Lundqvist.
Andersen, meanwhile, is having a little holiday, facing less than 30 shots in two straight games, searching for his 20th win and likely to get one game off this weekend.
The Leafs sit second in the Atlantic Division at 23-10-2, while the Rangers are fifth in the Metropolitan with a 15-13-5 record.
Here are five things to watch for when the Leafs host the Rangers Saturday at Scotiabank Arena:
1.
Ho-ho-hold the Leafs
Since the 1990s, these teams have loved getting into scorefests. The last 10 years have seen them average six combined goals a game and the Leafs are definitely one of the clubs Lundqvist has had issues with. Toronto scored 13 goals in two games this week against playoff-challenged opponents.
2.
Roadkill?
New York brings just four road victories into town, one of the worst marks in the league. But the Leafs should do their best to avoid a shootout, as the Rangers are a league-best 5-1 and have won all four road games via the tiebreaker.
3.
Big Apple peeler
New Leaf John Tavares will no doubt be fired up for this one, having had a decade with the Islanders to get into the rivalry with the Rangers. In his 43 games against the Rangers, he has collected 38 points, the most against any NHL opponent coming into this season.
4.
Zach in the box
Mike Babcock pushed the right buttons Thursday after Zach Hyman’s absence with an ankle injury became known. Andreas Johnsson didn’t get a point on Auston Matthews’ left side versus Florida, but drew the penalty that finally sparked Toronto’s dormant power play.
5.
Will he score?
William Nylander’s ongoing attempts to restore his game to mid-season confidence have been pushed to the back burner a bit as the team starts filling the net from other sources, but he’d like to net at least one before Christmas. He has two assists through seven games.