Nylander and Konecny two young stars on rise
Exciting right wingers meet Tuesday when Leafs face Flyers in Philadelphia
Toronto’s William Nylander and Philadelphia’s Travis Konecny have each enjoyed a nice start to the 2019-20 season.
Nylander has regained his form and confidence after a bumpy ride last season, while Konecny is on pace for a career-high 76 points.
Nylander’s 22 points in 28 games put him in line for 64 points, which also would be a career high.
Konecny, in his fourth NHL season, leads the Flyers in scoring.
The right wingers both will be in the spotlight when the Flyers play host to the Leafs on Tuesday.
Here are five things to watch for when Toronto (13-11-4) lines up against Philadelphia (15-7-5) at Wells Fargo Center:
THE PROCESS CONTINUES:
The Maple Leafs have found their legs under Sheldon Keefe, going 4-1 since Mike Babcock was canned. But the diligence needed in erasing errors in the defensive zone remains a work in progress. Like the Leafs, the Flyers are among the NHL’S top 10 teams in possession, and Philadelphia has made it hard on visitors. The Flyers have just one regulation loss in 13 home games, going 8-1-4.
BARRIE POWERFUL:
One of the head-scratchers under
Babcock was the unwillingness of the former coach to give Tyson Barrie some time on the No. 1 power-play unit. Barrie was put on the top group by Keefe and there were instant results. Now, Barrie will have a chance to quarterback the first unit. The Leafs’ power play under Keefe is 3-for-8, and will have to be sharp against a Flyers penalty kill that is 89.5 per cent successful at Wells Fargo Center, the second-best home mark in the league.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE:
Not that Leafs captain John Tavares needed a kick in the butt, but he has flourished to an extent with Keefe behind the bench, recording two points in each of the past three games. Tavares, who is bound to be buoyed by the impending return of Mitch Marner, has 19 goals in 46 career games against Philadelphia. Against only Carolina (25 goals) and Buffalo (21 goals) has Tavares scored more in his 10-plus NHL seasons.
OH, SHOOT:
If the recent past between the teams is any indication, the game will be tight, with no decision coming in regulation or overtime. The past three games have gone to a shootout, with Philly winning two. The Flyers have had eight games (3-5) decided by a shootout this season, the most in the NHL, while the Leafs are 1-2. If it’s that close again on Tuesday, one mistake could cost either side.
HART OF THE MATTER:
For the first time this season, the Leafs will see Flyers goalie Carter Hart, who didn’t play in the two earlier games against Toronto. After losing four in a row, Hart has won his past two, allowing one goal in each while making a total of 48 saves. Hart won his only previous start versus the Leafs, while Toronto starter Frederik Andersen has posted a career 8-2-3 mark with a .910 save percentage against Philadelphia.