Game Preview: Leafs vs Sharks

Looking for their first win in three games, the Leafs make few adjustments for tonight’s matchup.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Game Preview: Leafs vs Sharks
Keystone Press

Coming off a 2-0 shutout to the league leading Tampa Bay Lightning and currently riding a three game losing streak, the Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t need much motivation heading into tonight’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks. On the other hand, the Sharks have won four of their last five. But a huge 6-0 shutout loss to the Dallas Stars likely means that they won’t enter Air Canada Centre with their guard down.

The last time the Leafs and Sharks met, on October 30th, 2017, the Sharks came out with a 3-2 victory and held the Leafs to fewer than 20 shots. Leafs rookie Andreas Borgman scored his first NHL goal, but that was all that was worth celebrating on the evening. 

Tonight, Leafs head coach Mike Babcock has elected to make few changes to his team’s lineup from last game.

Here’s how the forward lines shake down:

Zach Hyman - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Patrick Marleau - Nazem Kadri - Leo Komarov
James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Mitchell Marner
Matt Martin - Frederik Gauthier - Connor Brown

And on defence:

Morgan Rielly - Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner - Connor Carrick
Andreas Borgman - Roman Polak

In net, Frederik Andersen, the fresh recipient of a $2000 fine for diving, will get the start with Curtis McElhinney backing him up.

Puck drops at 7pm at the ACC. Go, Leafs go!