Leafs week in preview: January 29th - Febuary 4th

Malkin-71.net

After a perfect two game week last week heading into the All-Star game, the Leafs are headed towards a rather grueling week in comparison, playing a back to back and the standard HNIC game. As are most weeks it's crucial for the Leafs to win two of three and get back into the playoff picture. With the three way tie for 7th and the nice little rest the boys got this weekend, I think it's safe to say it would be disappointing if the Leafs weren't at least in 8th by Sunday.


Tuesday/Wednesday January 31st/February 1st

Pittsburgh (28-17-4 5th in the East) vs. Toronto (25-19-5 9th in the East) 7 PM TSN/7.30 PM TSN

League leading scorer Evgeni Malkin and the red hot Penguins (is that healthy?) welcome the Leafs to Pittsburgh for both teams first games back from the All-Star game. Sidney Crosby, the Penguins captain, was just diagnosed with a neck injury to go along with his concussion issues. I would think that, even with the severity of a neck injury Penguins fans are relived to be hearing some news about him and that something can be done to get him back to playing hockey. The very next day the Leafs open their doors to the Penguins in the tail end of what seems like a record setting amount of back-to-backs for the Leafs. How lucky are we to have two days in a row of TSN broadcasts?

Leading scorers:
PIT:  Evgeni Malkin (26-32-58)
TOR: Joffery Lupul (20-32-52)


Power play:
PIT:  11th 18.5%
TOR: 5th 19.6%


Penalty kill:
PIT:  4th 87.4%
TOR: 30th 75%

Starting Goalie:
PIT:  Marc-Andre Fleury  (2.25 .913)
TOR: Jonas Gustavsson (2.73 .910)

Keys to victory:
1) It would seem that the Leafs need to stay off the PK, as they have been doing since the Mayan apocalypse. The Leafs' road PK% is a woeful 69.8%
2) Who would have thought that at this point in the season Gus' sv% would be .03 off of MAF's?
3) The Leafs held Tavares pointless with three shots in their home game on Monday, He had a goal and 4 shots on Tuesday on the Island. The Leafs need to be better when they can't choose who is on the ice against the other teams top player.

Saturday February 4th 
Ottawa (27-19-6 6th in the East) vs Toronto (25-19-5 9th in the East) 7 PM Leafs TV


Ottawa, fresh off their very public display of affection for captain Daniel Alfredsson, will get another chance to boo the Maple Leaf All-Stars (who by the way, actually deserved to be there) as the Leafs travel to not-Montreal to play at the Corel Centre. Time will tell if Ottawa is really as good as playing three more games then everyone else and barely being able to hold on to a playoff spot. My guess, Ottawa finishes 9th and the nations capital will say loud and clear "haha, 1967."


Leading Scorers:
OTT: Giggles (20-30-50)
TOR: Joffery Lupul (20-32-52)

Power play:

OTT:  19th 17.3%

TOR: 5th 19.6%

Penalty kill:

OTT:  17th 82.1%

TOR: 30th 75%

Starting Goalie:
OTT:  Brian Elliot  (1.69 .938)
TOR: Jonas Gustavsson (2.73 .910)



Keys to victory:
1) Basically, let Alfredsson score two goals and then put all 5 men on him, as his teammates WILL NOT shoot, as to give him the chance for the Hat-Trick
2) Brian Elliot is the ultimate troll
3) The Leafs will have a chance to pass Ottawa with a win here if all goes to plan.


GO LEAFS GO!