TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (25-17-4) at PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (20-16-8)
7 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, Sportsnet, TSN Radio 1050
BIG MATCHUP
Auston Matthews vs. Sean Couturier
If Flyers coach Dave Hakstol matches Sean Couturier against Auston Matthews, the 20-year-old Leaf will have to be on his toes. Couturier made his foray into the NHL as a smart defensive centre, and now he has gone on the offensive, scoring 25 goals already (long ago eclipsing his previous career high of 15). While Matthews has gone three games without a point, he appears to be ready to bust out, and it could be a tense battle if Couturier is his counterpart.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Fall in line
It’s doubtful a swap of Dominic Moore into the lineup in place of Frederik Gauthier will lead to an onslaught of offence for the Maple Leafs. Coach Mike Babcock has dug in his heels, meaning there won’t be major line changes. He’s confident his players can move forward mentally from three one-goal losses. It’s up to them to prove their boss right.
2. Calling on Kadri
In 18 career games against the Flyers, Nazem Kadri has 14 points (five goals and nine assists). How badly do you think Kadri would like to get on the scoresheet? One goal in 17 games. No assists in his past 20 games, or more than a quarter of the season. Something has to give. There’s no question Kadri has been disappointing for a while.
3. Giroux’s 30 in 30
The Leafs would be wise to play close attention to Claude Giroux for a few reasons. With 54 points, only Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov had more prior to Wednesday, and Giroux enjoys playing Toronto. He has 30 points in 30 games versus the Leafs, one of 10 NHL teams against which he averages at least one point a game.
4. Beat the backup
The Leafs will get a look at Flyers backup Michal Neuvirth, who will make his second start since the end of November. Neuvirth has faced the Leafs 17 times in his career (only against Florida has he seen more action) and has gone 9-5-1 with a .902 save percentage. It’s crucial for the Leafs that Neuvirth does not get comfortable.
5. Close doesn’t count
While the Leafs have had their problems closing out games recently, the Flyers aren’t great in close matches themselves, recording just five wins in one-goal games, tied for fewest in the NHL. We’ve said it a lot, but it’s imperative for the Leafs to begin well. Their 48 first-period goals are second in the NHL; the Flyers’ 30 in the first was 29th.
MAPLE LEAFS LINES
LW-C-RW
Zach Hyman-Auston Matthews-William Nylander
Patrick Marleau-Nazem Kadri-Leo Komarov
James van Riemsdyk-Tyler Bozak-Mitch Marner
Matt Martin-Dominic Moore-Connor Brown
Defence pairs
Morgan Rielly-Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner-Connor Carrick
Travis Dermott-Roman Polak
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Curtis McElhinney
FLYERS LINES
LW-C-RW
Claude Giroux-Sean Couturier-Travis Konecny
Michael Raffl-Valtteri Filppula-Jakub Voracek
Jordan Weal-Nolan Patrick-Wayne Simmonds
Taylor Leier-Scott Laughton-Jori Lehtera
Defence pairs
Ivan Provorov-Shayne Gostisbehere
Robert Hagg-Andrew MacDonald
Brandon Manning-Radko Gudas
Goaltenders
Michal Neuvirth
Brian Elliott
INJURIES
Flyers — None.
Maple Leafs — D Nikita Zaitsev (lower body), LW Nikita Soshnikov (lower body).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power play
Flyers: 21.4% (8th)
Maple Leafs: 20.9% (10th)
Penalty kill
Flyers: 74.5% (29th)
Maple Leafs: 84.0% (5th)