Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Dallas Stars
7:00 p.m. ET
TV:  Sportsnet Ontario (blackouts in effect)
Opponent’s site: Defending Big D

The big deal with the Stars right now is that Tyler Seguin—noted good Toronto boy—has gone 17 games without a goal. Oh, how you know that is a slump destined to be busted tonight in front of the most important fans in hockey. The Stars will be trying to set him up all game, and hopefully will be too busy doing that to actually win.

But maybe that slump won’t end tonight? The Leafs have a secret weapon in net. His name is Frederik Andersen! You might have heard of his work. He’s a Danish man who is known for stopping lots of pucks. He’s been recovering from an injury lately, but will finally be back as the Leafs starter tonight.

Maple Leafs Lines (source: Kristen Shilton at morning skate)

William Nylander- Auston Matthews - Mitchell Marner
Zach Hyman - John Tavares - Alexander Kerfoot
Andreas Johnsson - Jason Spezza - Kasperi Kapanen
Kyle Clifford - Pierre Engvall - Pontus Aberg

Jake Muzzin - Justin Holl
Travis Dermott - Tyson Barrie
Rasmus Sandin - Timothy Liljegren

Frederik Andersen
Jack Campbell

Dallas Stars Lines (source: Matthew DeFranks at morning skate plus team updates)

Jamie Benn - Jason Dickinson - Denis Gurianov
Roope Hintz - Tyler Seguin - Corey Perry
Joel Kiviranta - Mattias Janmark - Jason Robertson
Andrew Cogliano - Radek Faksa - Blake Comeau

Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Miro Heiskanen - Stephen Johns
Jamie Oleksiak - Roman Polak / Andrej Sekera

Ben Bishop (starter to be confirmed)
Anton Khudobin

Alex Radulov was placed on Injured Reserve today; with Jason Robertson called up to replace him, I have simply swapped them in that lineup but it could further change. And, yes, Jason Robertson is the older brother of our own super-prospect Nicholas Robertson. It would be Jason’s NHL debut if he plays.

Joe Pavelski has an upper body injury and it is still not clear if he will return for tonight’s game. He was listed as a game-time decision back on Tuesday and ended up not playing.

UPDATE:

These teams last played two weeks ago and the Leafs won it 5-3 despite a questionable effort from them in the second period. Regardless, at the end of game they had banked two points off an out-of-conference opponent, and it would be great if they could do that again tonight. Beyond that last game, the Leafs have lost to the Stars only twice in the previous five seasons, seemingly solving the offence led by Seguin and Benn (back when they actually had some.)

This will be Andrew Cogliano’s 1000th NHL game, which, wow, I can’t believe he’s been around the NHL for that long. I guess that’s what happens when you get drafted by the Oilers.

Roman Polak will reach 800 games tonight, if he plays. Oh Roman... we could have had so much fun together this season.

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