Leafs to face Knights’ hot dice
Terry Koshan breaks down the Vegas Golden Knights’ first- ever trip to Toronto:
Stumbling home after a dismal 1-3 road trip, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the NHL’s new kids on the block, the surprisingly powerful expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
Both goaltenders — Toronto’s Frederik Andersen and the Knights’ Maxime Lagace — have something to prove.
After bouncing around the minors the past three seasons, Lagace won his first NHL game on Saturday and wants another as Vegas weathers its goalie-injury storm. Andersen, hours later, had one of his worst performances of the season in a 6- 4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Here are five points to consider heading into Monday’s game: 1 Back up your words
The Leafs were glad to get home after a tough week away, and said as much after falling to St. Louis. Well, play like it. If the Leafs want to hit the reset button, they must take charge against a stubborn Vegas team that has allowed just eight firstperiod goals.
2 Matthews watch
Auston Matthews didn’t record a point against St. Louis, but had a teamhigh six shots on goal. Matthews, who does not take losses well, has not had back-to-back pointless games this season. Expect a big game from him. “He’s one of the best players in our league, there’s no doubt,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. 3 The fourth line?
From the way the group of Tyler Bozak between Mitch Marner and Matt Martin is playing, it’s not right to call them the fourth line. They’ve been diligent and resourceful. Something’s going to drop for Marner, now at 14 games without a goal.
4 Wondering about Willie
As Matthews produces and Marner gets close, William Nylander has been missing in action. Coach Mike Babcock indicated on Saturday that Nylander needs a little push, and that night took him off the Matthews line. 5 Neal before us
Veteran forward James Neal has cooled off, with just one goal in his past nine games after a terrific start in which he had six goals in four games. Neal has scored seven goals in 19 career games, also recording seven assists, against the Leafs.