Leafs @ Flames - Dec. 12th, 9:00pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[CarltonTheBear]

@

15-13-4, 34 points | 17-12-4, 38 points

Projected Lines

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Aberg-Matthews-Nylander Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Kapanen Petan-Engvall-Spezza Rielly-Barrie Muzzin-Holl Dermott-Ceci Andersen ​

Mangiapane-Lindholm-Rieder Dube-Monahan-Backlund Lucic-Ryan-Gaudreau Rinaldo-Jankowski-Frolik Giordano-Andersson Hanifin-Hamonic Brodie-Stone Rittich​

Scratches

Dmytro Timashov Frederik Gauthier Martin Marincin ​

Matthew Tkachuk Matthews Phillips Olver Kylington ​

Game Notes

TOR
?Andersen (15-7-3, 2.48 GAA, .921 Sv%) will likely start for the Leafs
?Keefe mentioned last week that he intended to give Hutchinson a start at some point on this road trip. He seemed less sure about that in his comments yesterday though

CGY
?Rittich (14-7-4, 2.74 GAA, .913 Sv%) will likely start for the Flames
?The Flames have gone 6-0 since Geoff Ward took over the head coaching duties in Calgary
?Goals are up in the Ward era as Calgary has scored 4 per game under him as opposed to the 2.37 goals per game they scored before he took over
?One noticeable change that he made was to split up his top line and move Gaudreau, Monahan, and Lindholm to their own lines. This has successfully spread out Calgary's offence so far

Injuries

?Trevor Moore - Shoulder - Injured Reserve ?Andreas Johnsson - Leg - Injured Reserve​

?Matthews Tkachuk - Upper Body - Questionable Thursday ?Sam Bennett - Upper Body - Injured Reserve ?Austin Czarnik - Lower Body - Injured Reserve ?Juuso Valimaki - Knee - Injured Reserve​

Stream Options

https://www.reddit.com/r/NHLstreams
​

 

[Zee]

GO LEAFS!

 

[Zee]

Is Andersen confirmed to start?

I wonder if Dubas has told Keefe to keep playing Andersen while he tries to work out a trade for a backup.  The games are spaced out this week so it's not a big deal but they have to get a reliable backup option to lighten Freddie's load the last 50 games.


After Saturday Leafs play again next Tuesday, then backtoback Friday/Saturday.  Hopefully they have a new backup by then

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Is Andersen confirmed to start?

I meant to add that into my 2nd point, but no he's not. Could be Hutch, and this was the game some of us guessed he would get, but Keefe hasn't announced it one way or another yet.

 

[Zee]

Is Andersen confirmed to start?

I meant to add that into my 2nd point, but no he's not. Could be Hutch, and this was the game some of us guessed he would get, but Keefe hasn't announced it one way or another yet.

I know Calgary is tired and I originally said they should use Hutch for this game, but Andersen is on some kind of heater and you'd hate to not get him in there.

I just realized that the back to back next weekend is Sabres and then Wings....you have to imagine Hutch could handle that Wings game if there's no other option right?  Right?

 

[Redleaf]

Calgary is the hottest team in the league right now. 6 straight wins. This will be a tough game !! Let?s hope the Leafs continue their mini win streak and end the one by the Flames !

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Last week:
https://twitter.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/1202422879331192832

Yesterday:
https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/1204869557959086080

I doubt they're going to give him a start on Saturday night against McDavid/Draisaitl.

 

[Zee]

Calgary is the hottest team in the league right now. 6 straight wins. This will be a tough game !! Let?s hope the Leafs continue their mini win streak and end the one by the Flames !

That's why it's a perfect time to play them.  They're due for a stinker game, and they're playing 3 in 4 and feeling good about themselves.  Hopefully it plays out like I hope.

 

[Frank E]

Just looking at the schedule, they play tonight, then Saturday, Tuesday, then Friday and Saturday.

I might ride Andersen for now, and start Hutch in one of the back to back games on the 20-21st. 

 

[WAYNEINIONA]

My wife is a big time Flames fan. This is a no win situation for me.

 

[bustaheims]

Just looking at the schedule, they play tonight, then Saturday, Tuesday, then Friday and Saturday.

I might ride Andersen for now, and start Hutch in one of the back to back games on the 20-21st.

I might consider Hutch against Buffalo on Tuesday, but, if not, either of the back-to-backs seem fine.

 

[princedpw]

It's not a big deal, but it doesn't really make sense to me.  Why start Andersen back-to-back and then Hutch, non-back-to-back?  While there is space between games, I'd ride Andersen ... unless of course, the Leafs know something about the benefits of getting an extended rest (4 days) that the rest of us don't (entirely possible).

 

[Deebo]

Just looking at the schedule, they play tonight, then Saturday, Tuesday, then Friday and Saturday.

I might ride Andersen for now, and start Hutch in one of the back to back games on the 20-21st.

I might consider Hutch against Buffalo on Tuesday, but, if not, either of the back-to-backs seem fine.

I hope it's not against Buffalo, I have box seats for that one.

 

[Highlander]

Just looking at the schedule, they play tonight, then Saturday, Tuesday, then Friday and Saturday.

I might ride Andersen for now, and start Hutch in one of the back to back games on the 20-21st.

I might consider Hutch against Buffalo on Tuesday, but, if not, either of the back-to-backs seem fine.

I hope it's not against Buffalo, I have box seats for that one.

Ride the Great Dane,  he has a large saddle! We need a new McBackup.  Even though Hutch will get one more chance to blow his clutch. Hopefully in the next back to back.

 

[ZBBM]

The fact that we are having an extensive discussion about whether it's safe to play our backup tells you everything you need to know about whether we need a new backup.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

The fact that we are having an extensive discussion about whether it's safe to play our backup tells you everything you need to know about whether we need a new backup.

x2

 

[Highlander]

The fact that we are having an extensive discussion about whether it's safe to play our backup tells you everything you need to know about whether we need a new backup.

x2

x3
Even if Hutch plays lights out in his next attempt, I don't think the cat is going to change his spots all that much at this point in his career, (I could be wrong).  I'd like to get that younger guy off the Rangers, who stoned us a few times last year.  Worth Kapi or Johnsson and through in Ceci for fun.

 

[Frank E]

The fact that we are having an extensive discussion about whether it's safe to play our backup tells you everything you need to know about whether we need a new backup.

x2

Did anyone anywhere over the past month think that the Leafs didn't need another goaltender?

I'm certain that Dubas would have done something if he could, but for a lack of available goaltenders, the cost of acquisition, and the cap space problem.

 

[Kin]

Yeah, I'm pretty confident Dubas understands the issues the team's been having with back-up goaltending.

 

[Peter D.]

No need to overthink this and try and be contrarian to everything Babcock did.  Run Andersen for the time being the way the schedule is set up the next week.  Calgary is a hot team right now and a good team overall which is now finding its legs.  Go with your #1 in tough games like this.  Save Hutchison for teams like the Devils and Kings.