The Blueprint for a Streak: Maple Leafs Lock in Lineup Versus Avalanche
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have locked in their lineup for tonight's clash with the Colorado Avalanche. Here's how the line combinations break down.
A tremendous 7-1-2 run over their last 10 games has the Maple Leafs in hot pursuit of a playoff spot, and they can move into a Wild Card position tonight with a win over the red hot Colorado Avalanche.
The Leafs are putting their faith in Joseph Woll tonight after the 27-year-old posted back-to-back wins, allowing just 1 goal on 61 shots against over this last two appearances.
The Maple Leafs will need more of that magic tonight against an Avalanche team who has been systematically dismantling teams all season long, playing to a staggering plus-80 goal differential.
No Changes for Leafs Versus Avalanche on Monday After 5-0 Shutout Win
When practice began on Monday morning, it was no surprise to learn that Craig Berube was content in the idea to not change a thing after a dominant 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
That means that Max Domi will remain with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews on the top line, Matias Maccelli with stay saddled up next to John Tavares and William Nylander, and Craig Berube's favourite new toy, his 3rd line of Easton Cowan, Nicolas Roy and Nick Robertson will remain intact.
A full list of the lines and pairings was confirmed by TSN's Mark Masters on Monday morning from Denver.
The Leafs also received some tremendous news involving injured goaltender Anthony Stolarz on Monday, with Berube suggesting that the Leafs netminder appears "close" to being ready to make his triumphant return after being sidelined since November 11th.
The Leafs are just 1 point back of both the Buffalo Sabres and the Washington Capitals, so a win tonight moves them into the top Wild Card spot, with neither the Sabres nor the Capitals playing tonight.
The Avalanche are one of the only teams in the NHL with a better record than the Leafs over their last 10 games. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have led their team to an 8-2-0 record over that span.
The Avalanche have just 4 regulation losses this season and are unbeaten in regulation at home this season, boasting 19 wins in Denver. The Leafs own a 6-10-2 record on the road.
Also read on Toronto Hockey Daily :
A Tale of Two Goalies: Woll Gets the Crease, But Stolarz Steals the Headlines in Colorado
A Tale of Two Goalies: Woll Gets the Crease, But Stolarz Steals the Headlines in Colorado
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily