Gardiner returns to Toronto
The most offensive blueliner the Maple Leafs have had in the past decade makes his return, going head-to-head against his replacement when the Carolina Hurricanes visit Toronto on Monday.
The oft-maligned Jake Gardiner and the Hurricanes do battle against Tyson Barrie and the Leafs in an afternoon affair.
Both men have had adjustment issues with their new teams, but Barrie has found his game under new Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. Barrie has been given the quarterback duties on the first power-play unit, which is hot of late. Both teams also have other defencemen who like to step in on the rush.
Here are 5 Things to Watch for when the Hurricanes (22-12-2) storm into Toronto (19-14-4):
1
Raising Cane on the Road
Carolina just had a successful five-game trip, earning nine of a possible 10 points, before a stinker at home against Florida. The Hurricanes are the only team not to have lost in regulation when leading, either after the first period (11-0-1) or second (15-0-0). It should be interesting to put that record up against the Leafs scoring first in their past seven games, six of them wins. However, it took Toronto a while to get rolling on Saturday against last-place Detroit before scoring a 4-1 victory.
2
The Fred Factor
Frederik Andersen, about the NHL’S busiest goalie, needed a day off with this weekend’s compressed schedule and Michael Hutchinson took the heat off with a win against the Red Wings. Now it’s back to Andersen, who sports a 6-3-0 record against Carolina. That’s the team that originally drafted the Danish netminder, a seventh rounder in 2010, but he didn’t sign.
3
Attack Mode
The Leafs will be peppering either Petr Mrazek or James Reimer (Reimer is usually the Canes’ go-to road goaltender), but coach Rod Brind’amour has a bend-but-don’t-break team. The Canes have a record of 12-2-1 when outshot and are good in transition. Early Sunday, Carolina was the only NHL team this season with four skaters who each have at least 34 points.
4
That’s a Svech
Andrei Svechnikov’s inventive lacrosse-style backdoor goals this year inspired Auston Matthews to try one Saturday, but too much snow was on his blade for the puck to stick. Svechnikov might try one for the young audience at this game, but expect some stick work on him by Toronto defencemen who don’t intend to get embarrassed.
5
Crowded Roster
It’s just not enough for the Leafs bottom six forwards to have a great game here and there. It has to be consistent now that Trevor Moore is back and Andreas Johnsson is expected to return in a couple of weeks. Salary issues are going to mean few if any spares will be kept on the roster.