Maple Leafs-Ducks: Thursday game preview

AIR CANADA CENTRE

Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. TV: Sportsnet Ontario Radio: Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Key matchup: Corey Perry vs. Morgan Rielly. In a 4-3 loss to Montreal on Tuesday night, Corey Perry reached 30 goals for the sixth time as a Duck. Perry and linemate Ryan Getzlaf will put pressure on the Leafs defence, especially Morgan Rielly, who may have to be a more stay-at-home defenceman in this game.

30-goal mark: Perry tied Paul Kariya for the second-most 30-goal seasons in franchise history, trailing only Teemu Selanne, who had seven seasons of scoring 30 or more with Anaheim. Perry was the 11th NHLer this season to reach the 30-goal plateau. Fifteen players did so in 2014-15 while 47 players had 30 or more in 2005-06.

Uphill climb: It’s been an uphill climb for the Ducks since the opening week of the season, when they lost their first four games and finished October with a 1-7-2 record. Now in second place in the Pacific Division with a 40-23-9 record, the Ducks hold a one-point lead over the San Jose Sharks. But their loss to Montreal was a setback in their bid to overtake the Kings for the Pacific Division lead and clinch a playoff spot.

Streaking: The hottest player on the Ducks is Jakob Silfverberg, who scored two goals against Montreal on Tuesday. In his last five games, he has six goals and two assists.

Hurting: The Ducks are missing left wing David Perron, who has a shoulder injury. Perron had eight goals and 20 points in 28 games with the Ducks after a Jan. 16 trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Up next: Saturday vs. Boston Bruins, CBC (7 p.m.) Curtis Rush