Game day: Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning

AMALIE ARENA

FACEOFF: 7:30 p.m. TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

KEY PLAYERS

Vasilevskiy/Andersen Both teams have plenty of firepower, so the goaltending will be key. The Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, is 19-5-2 with a 2.46 goals-against average and .925 save mark, but has been hot and cold in his past five games — shutouts against the Stars and Blue Jackets, but five goals against in San Jose and four on the road against the Islanders. The Leafs’ Frederik Andersen allowed four goals on 36 shots in Monday’s loss to the Avalanche, his only game since returning from a groin injury.

NEED TO KNOW

Tampa has won five of their last six meetings, including the only one so far this season, 4-1 on Dec. 13 … Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL with 75 points and 53 assists, but for the third time this season he’s gone two games without a point … Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos has 14 goals and 13 assists in his past 17 games … The Lightning power play is a league-best 29.1 per cent. The penalty kill is rated sixth at 83.7 per cent … Tampa has taken 172 minor penalties, one shy of the league high by Montreal and Washington … The Leafs have taken a leaguelow 122 minors.

UP NEXT

Friday at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. Kevin McGran