Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche

Christmas in the Rockies! I'm sure they are having a wonder snowy time, while here in the far south of Ontario we're getting mild temperatures and rain. I know who wins this fight: Me, I do. No snow! Yay! There are two more Leafs games until the break, and they are both on the road vs opponents they should beat.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche
9:00PM - Pepsi Centre, Denver, CO
TV: Sportsnet Ontario / Radio: TSN1050
SBN: Mile High Hockey

On Saturday night Jonathan Bernier hit it big, making 26 saves to shut out the LA Kings, and earning his first victory of the season, now sporting a shiny 1-8-3 record. The Maple Leafs are also on a bit of a point streak, picking up at least one point in their past 5 games (3-0-2). Despite the points the Maple Leafs are tied with the Blue Jackets for last place at 29 points. The Leafs do have 4 games in hand, however. This road trip should be one of thought for Leafs management. Sitting in last place in the NHL, last in their division, and 10 points behind the Senators for the final wild card playoff spot, do they keep going as is, make the push to make up ground on the WC spots, or cut bait on the season and sell off as much as they can to stay in a good lottery spot.

Projected Lines
Toronto (no changes from last game as per Siegel)

James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - P.A. Parenteau
Michael Grabner - Nazem Kadri - Leo Komarov
Daniel Winnik - Peter Holland - Joffrey Lupul
Shawn Matthias - Byron Froese - Brad Boyes

Jake Gardiner - Dion Phaneuf
Matt Hunwick - Morgan Rielly
Martin Marincin - Roman Polak

Jonathan Bernier
Antoine Bibeau

Colorado (via Mile high Hockey)

Gabriel Landeskog -Nathan MacKinnon - Matt Duchene
Alex Tanguay - John Mitchell - Jerome Iginla
Martinsen - Carl Soderberg - Blake Comeau
Cody McLeod - Mikhail Grigorenko - Jack Skille

Francois Beauchemin -Erik Johnson
Holden - Tyson Barrie
Guenin - Zach Redmond

Semyon Varlamov
Reto Berra

Pre-Game buzz

Quick starts are vital for teams tonite. Av's have scored 1st in last 5 game and gone 5-0. Leafs finally did score 1st on Saturday, won 5-0.

— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) December 21, 2015

Leo's GWG Saturday snapped a 5 game streak by Tor of giving up the gm's1st goal. That said, they've scored in each of last 5 1st periods.

— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) December 21, 2015

Kyle Dubas in (somewhat rare) attendance with the Leafs on two-game trip. He and Lou Lamoriello having conversation at morning skate.

— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) December 21, 2015

Mike Babcock on Komarov: "When you think of our team, if you say 'Who's the most competitive guy on the Leafs?' you'd say Leo."

— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) December 21, 2015

Reimer took shots from Leafs scratches (Clune, Corrado) and worked with Steve Briere following morning skate today.

— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) December 21, 2015

My thoughts: The point streak will continue into the Christmas break as the Leafs pick up two wins, much to the disgust of the tanking crowd.