Toronto at Boston – 7:00 p.m. ET – Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
Watch on Linear TV: NESN, TSN
Streaming: YouTube, TSN.ca
Toronto's last game before the break was a loss to Ottawa, 5-3. The game broke Toronto's winning streak that put them on top of the standings. They are in first place by one point with a record of 10 RW, 3 OTW, and 6 L. Their Points % is .632.
Boston's last game before the break was a loss to New York, 3-2. They are in fifth place, so out of a playoff position right now. Their record is 4 RW, 4 OTW, 2 OTL and 9 L. Their Points % is .386. They are five points behind fourth-place Ottawa.
Them
With the three point system, and five more games to play, Boston can move into a playoff spot, but they need Ottawa to lose a few. Their problem is fairly simple. They have about the same goals against as the other two lowest ranked teams with 48, but their goals for is only 38, the lowest in the league.
You can win with a low goals for, but you need absolutely stellar goaltending and at least good defence.
At Worlds, Aerin Frankel, who Team USA play ahead of Minnesota's Nicole Hensley, had good results with a .914 Save %, but that was a long, long way from Ann-Renée Desbiens' .926.
In the PWHL, Frankel is better with .927, but that lands her at a bit above league average. Emma Söderberg, Boston's number two has been nearly unplayable and has the lowest Save % in the PWHL.
They just don't have goal scorers who are succeeding. Their best scorer, Lexie Adzija, scored all her goals with Ottawa before the trade. No one else has more than four. They spread their scoring around, but no one is breaking games open for them.
Alina Müller had an uninspiring Worlds, but Hilary Knight seemed to find her game again. Boston's stars have to score if they are going to make the playoffs.
Us
All of the Toronto team that weren't on Team Canada at Worlds had a mini-training camp, just without their coach.
The band is back together, and Kristen Campbell – the third goalie for Team Canada – is certainly rested. She dressed as a backup three times, but did not play.
No one seemed to be hurt, so that's all good. They've had time to relax and savour the golden glow of those medals.
Toronto has three road games before two home games, and the job is simply to stay ahead of Minnesota. They play on Saturday afternoon as well, so they have to come out hard off the break.
The Game
This is Boston's Pride Night! Some other teams have announced Pride nights at the end of the season. No word yet on Toronto's plans.
This is the last meeting for these two teams, barring a leap into the playoffs for Boston.
Lineups will come closer to gametime.
Go Toronto Go!
