Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings: Preseason game 7
Time: 7:30 pm Eastern Time
Location: Copps Coliseum FirstOntario Center, The Hammer!
Broadcast/Streaming: Sportsnet 360
The Maple Leafs head to Hamilton tonight. Sadly they will not play the fictional Steelheads from the TV show Power Play. There will be no sexy musculDean McDermott, nor will Gordon Pinsent be hanging out up in the rafters.
Tonight the Leafs face the Red Wings. Like the game vs. the Habs from a few weeks ago, the opposition will be the “B” team. This time, however, the Leafs brought their own to the party.
Toronto Maple Leafs (based on practice)
Forward Lines
Johnsson-Holland-Greening
Timashov-Froese-Moore
Leipsic-Laich-Leivo
Lindberg-Smith-Clune
Defence Pairings
Corrado-Valiev
Dermott-Polak
Holl-Loov
Goaltenders
Enroth-Sparks
Both goalies will probably get some time.
Red Wings of Baron Detroit
Forward Lines
Ott-Glendening-Miller
Bertuzzi-Lorito-Frk
Street-Aubry-Callahan
Svechnikov-Criscuolo-Tangradi
Defence Pairings
Lashoff-Sproul
Paetsch-Jensen
Hicketts-Russo
Goaltenders
Howard
Coreau
No “analysis” today
Are you’re up in arms about no analysis? Just quieten down, baby.
Steve Ott is on Red Wings top line.
He had a grand total of zero goals in 21 NHL games last season.
Let’s not waste time with analysis of what could happen tonight. It’s going to be a gong show. Both teams look setup for their annual “fourth-line/pressbox guy tryouts,” and, I suspect, to make some final decisions on what players to risk on waivers. You better pass the test on Mount Ordeals tonight, Josh Leivo.
Brian Lashoff is the top Red Wings defenceman. Does that name sound familiar? He’s the brother of our one time (and now again) Marlie Matt Lashoff. I am sure you all remember the big trade where we acquired the singing sensation, and one time AHL-All Star Skills competition trick goal scorer, from the Lightning in exchange for Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati (there will be a test later).
The major challenge for this group of Leafs is for the goaltenders. I expect both to get half a game, unless someone is pulled. This could be the game that decides who will back up Frederik Andersen.
Meanwhile our friends on the Toronto Marlies are set to play another round against the St. John’s Ice Caps at 6PM ET. The Marlies won yesterday 1-0 on a goal from Chase Witala, who is hoping to join the team after 6 full seasons in the WHL (that’s A LOT of time riding the bus).
So strap yourselves in, and pass the tequila, Sheila. It’s going to be quite a game.
