Jackets provide early test for Leafs
With 19 points against Toronto since his Detroit days, veteran Gustav Nyquist has had more success against the Leafs than any other National Hockey League opponent.
Toronto coach Mike Babcock knows him well from coaching Nyquist in Motown.
The Leafs have certainly added to their skill level on the back end with Tyson Barrie and Rasmus Sandin, but they have to play heavier in their own zone this year and Jake Muzzin is their most physical presence.
With that in mind, expect Muzzin to draw the assignment against Nyquist when the Leafs hit the road to play the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Friday.
Here are five things to watch for when the Blue Jackets open their home schedule:
1.
Full metal Jackets
After eight exhibitions and one regular-season game against non-playoff teams, the Leafs are in for their stiffest test in the first October road game.
Yes, the Jackets have been weakened by the departures of Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Sergei Bobrovsky after they rolled the dice in the playoffs and didn’t get further than an opening round upset of Tampa Bay. But there are plenty of familiar names here who have given the Leafs grief through the years. 2.
Space for Spezza
After ruffling feathers by benching Jason Spezza for the opener, Babcock is scheduled to insert the veteran on the fourth line. This might be the most attention anyone pays to Toronto’s penalty killing so far this season.
Also getting in the Leafs’ lineup after sitting on Wednesday will be winger Nic Petan and defenceman Justin Holl.
3.
New goaltender
Joonas Korpisalo is the Jackets’ new starter in net, with big skates to fill after “Goalie Bob” headed to Florida. As a result, Columbus has worked harder on systems to move the puck out and take some heat off Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins. Indeed, you can frustrate the Leafs, as Ottawa did, but take penalties at your peril.
4.
New kids on the block
The Jackets will have to deal with a couple of mystery Leafs: Sandin, who looked fine in his NHL debut, and the straight shooting Ilya Mikheyev, who has good hands around the net and is quickly adapting to North American ice. 5.
October artillery
This is the season opener for Columbus and coach John Tortorella’s team will be determined to silence critics who have already written them off. The Leafs, on the other hand, have to play smart defence and keep that deafening goal cannon to one or two salvos.
Notes: Edmonton Oilers defenceman Adam Larsson played two periods on a busted right fibula, the bone between the knee and ankle in the calf area, during the club’s home opener on Wednesday night. The Oilers edged Vancouver 3-2.
“His last shift was with two or three minutes left in the game and he couldn’t go anymore,” Oilers coach Dave Tippett said.
Larsson will be out six to eight weeks.
Lance Hornby