7PM ET: CBC, NHL-N (US)
In case you spent yesterday on Mars in a cave under a rock with your eyes shut and your fingers in your ears the Leafs called up Nazem Kadri for tonight's game against the Vancouver Canucks.
Kadri will be skating with Tyler Bozak and Nikolai Kulemin and they will likely be as sheltered at evens as possible; a good move for both Kadri and Bozak's sake. Giving the pair of them a good two way player and digger in Nikolai Kulemin is the best we can hope for.
With any luck Kadri's largest contribution will come on the power play; our power play is tied for 24th in the league at 11.1%. If Kadri isn't starting on the powerplay feel free to complain loudly about Ron Wilson. Kadri's biggest asset is his offensive creativity and his biggest weaknesses are likely his two play and his production when facing tough opposition.
The top line will see Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur given a vote of confidence with the addition of Phil Kessel. Grabovski's been our best center all year and finally makes it to the first line. Despite his production so far I think Clarke MacArthur ended up on the first line mostly because the Leafs wanted Kulemin with the two young kids.
The Canucks are bringing some serious firepower to town in the Sedins, Alex Burrows, and two time Selke finalist Ryan Kesler. They're a very good team in the West and the Leafs don't look like a contender in the East. We knew before the season started that November would be tough for Toronto and games like tonight are why.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere starts across from Roberto Luongo. Let's pray for a miracle.
