Hey Leafs fans! My last couple previews were depressing as hell, and kinda grumpy. Today I'm embracing the spirit of brotherly love and know that the Leafs will end their streak today.
The Leafs have a good record vs Philadelphia, winning two of their last three against the Flyers, though in the last game the Flyers took the Leafs to the woodshed in a 7-4 victory.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers
TV: CBC, CSN-Philly
Radio: TSN 1050AM
SBN: Broad St. Hockey
The Leafs: Phil Kessel ended his goalless streak and scored the only goal in the Leafs most recent loss, 3-1 to the Arizona Coyotes. The team has shown improvements in the time since Randy Carlyle was fired, but Peter Horachek seems to have pissed off some high ranking daemon and will coach teams to statistical improvements but still have a losing team in front of him. Sorry Petey.
The Flyers: The Flyers are looking to extend their win streak to 4, something they have had trouble with this season. They are 1 point ahead of the Leafs in the standings, so this is an important game, no matter what side of the Playoffs/Tank line you are on. The Flyers have scored less than the Leafs, but have also allowed less goals than the Leafs. Plus I bet none of them were like this.
Here are your line ups, via NHL.com
Leafs
James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel
Leo Komarov - Peter Holland - Mike Santorelli
Daniel Winnik - Nazem Kadri - Joffrey Lupul
Richard Panik - Trevor Smith - David Clarkson
Korbinian Holzer - Cody Franson
Jake Gardiner - Petter Granberg
Morgan Rielly - Roman Polak
James Reimer
Jonathan Bernier
Scratched: David Booth
Injured: Dion Phaneuf (hand), Stephane Robidas (upper body)
Flyers
Brayden Schenn - Claude Giroux - Jakub Voracek
Petr Straka - Ryan White - Wayne Simmonds
R.J. Umberger - Sean Couturier - Matt Read
Chris VandeVelde - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Vincent Lecavalier
Nick Schultz - Mark Streit
Michael Del Zotto - Luke Schenn
Carlo Colaiacovo - Andrew MacDonald
Scratched: None
Suspended: Zac Rinaldo
Injured: Kimmo Timonen (blood clots), Braydon Coburn (lower body), Michael Raffl (illness), Scott Laughton (concussion), Nicklas Grossmann (upper body)
Final Thoughts: Well, these teams aren't outmatching each other. Both have elements of defense that are garbage fires. Both have a couple damn good forwards. I think the Leafs have an edge in goal tending tonight. Anything can happen. Go Leafs Go #BUDSALLDAY
