Devils @ Leafs - Jan. 31st, 7:30pm - SN, Fan 590

[CarltonTheBear]

@

27-10-3, 57 points | 15-23-5, 35 points

Projected Lines

Bunting-Matthews-Kase Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner Kerfoot-Kampf-Nylander Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds Rielly-Brodie Sandin-Holl Dermott-Liljegren Campbell ​

Zacha-Hischier-Bastian Sharangovich-Hughes-Bratt Johnsson-Mercer-Tatar Vesey-Boqvist-Kuokkanen Siegenthaler-Severson Graves-Subban Smith-White Gillies​

Scratches

Carl Dahlstrom Nick Ritchie Kyle Clifford​

Marian Studenic Christian Jaros Mason Geertsen​

Game Notes

TOR
?Campbell (20-6-3, 2.26 GAA, .926 Sv%) will start for the Leafs
?The Leafs did shuffle their forward lines around in the middle of the Detroit game, so it remains to be seen if those changes will stick

NJ
?Gillies (1-5-1, 2.92 GAA, .907 Sv%) will likely start for the Devils
?The Devils announced in the beginning of January that Bernier would be out for the remainder of the season following a hip surgery. And then 3 weeks later Blackwood was placed on the IR with an injury that's been nagging him all season. Neither goalie was having a particularly good season but it leaves them with 28-year old journey man goalie Jon Gillies currently manning the net
?Andreas Johnsson started his 2nd season with the Devils on fire with 18 points in his first 20 games. He has just 1 goal and 6 points in his last 21 games since then though

Injuries

?Jake Muzzin - Concussion - Injured Reserve​

?Jonathan Bernier - Hip - Injured Reserve ?Mackenzie Blackwood - Heel - Injured Reserve ?Dougie Hamilton - Jaw - Injured Reserve ?Michael McLeod - Undisclosed - Injured Reserve ?Miles Wood - Hip - Injured Reserve​

Stream Options

Sportsurge.net
NHL66
​

 

[herman]

How do we feel about making overtures for Damon Severson?

 

[Frank E]

I thought Mayfield - NYI was the current flavour of the week?

 

[herman]

I thought Mayfield - NYI was the current flavour of the week?

If he comes with Adam Pelech, and Trotz running the D... ok.

 

[herman]

Would also appreciate wrapping Mikheyev up in Kevlar.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1488175159647387652

Back to normal looking lines.

 

[L K]

As all things, it was a good trial.  Those lines weren't terrible at generating chances but they weren't really putting the puck in the net.  Definitely need to try more of those types of line combos in the future here but still need to win games.  This division is awful.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

As all things, it was a good trial.  Those lines weren't terrible at generating chances but they weren't really putting the puck in the net.  Definitely need to try more of those types of line combos in the future here but still need to win games.  This division is awful.

Yeah. It's the sort of thing you need to experiment with from time to time as a fall back option when Plan A isn't working, but it's clear the Leafs best/optimal lines are something like the above (big-4 split in pairs, Kampf-led checking line).

 

[ZBBM]

As all things, it was a good trial.  Those lines weren't terrible at generating chances but they weren't really putting the puck in the net.  Definitely need to try more of those types of line combos in the future here but still need to win games.  This division is awful.

Yeah. It's the sort of thing you need to experiment with from time to time as a fall back option when Plan A isn't working, but it's clear the Leafs best/optimal lines are something like the above (big-4 split in pairs, Kampf-led checking line).

Of course, this doesn't address the reason why they wanted to spread the core 4 our over more lines, which is that in Playoffville you really need 5 scoring lines to break through NHL Cancel (Offense) Culture.

 

[ZBBM]

Also, because I so don't follow the Devils, a question: is Hischier a bust?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/amandacstein/status/1488188196575928329

Well, you know what this means... *sigh*

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Also, because I so don't follow the Devils, a question: is Hischier a bust?

In a re-draft today he's probably still go like 5th-ish overall from that 2017 class so "bust" is definitely pushing it even if he hasn't met his draft expectations.

 

[Kin]

Akira Schmid sounds like a prospect that would be generated in EA Sports Franchise mode for a draft pick.

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/amandacstein/status/1488188196575928329

Well, you know what this means... *sigh*

 

[Joe S.]

If it was up to me I?d throw Mr?zek right back out there. He needs work and the leafs need him to be better.

 

[wnc096]

https://twitter.com/amandacstein/status/1488188196575928329

Well, you know what this means... *sigh*

I get the same feeling....on paper leafs should win by a touchdown....but alas they won't

 

[cujo4ever]

GO LEAFS GO!

 

[Guilt Trip]

If it was up to me I?d throw Mr?zek right back out there. He needs work and the leafs need him to be better.

Mrazek is in tomorrow night.

 

[Joe S.]

If it was up to me I?d throw Mr?zek right back out there. He needs work and the leafs need him to be better.

Mrazek is in tomorrow night.

Ah cool. I?m out of touch with the schedule. I didn?t know there was a back to backs going on

 

[princedpw]

As all things, it was a good trial.  Those lines weren't terrible at generating chances but they weren't really putting the puck in the net.  Definitely need to try more of those types of line combos in the future here but still need to win games.  This division is awful.

Yeah. It's the sort of thing you need to experiment with from time to time as a fall back option when Plan A isn't working, but it's clear the Leafs best/optimal lines are something like the above (big-4 split in pairs, Kampf-led checking line).

One game just isn't enough to see much of a pattern or get much experience.  I think they should try it off-and-on for at least 10 games or more to see what happens and to get some practice at it.