PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NHL PLAY OF THE DAY >> Won Yday's Lone NHL Play!
(NHL) Toronto vs. Chicago,
Total: 6.00 | -115.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 6.00 | -115.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 4-2 to Colorado on Monday and have now lost eight of 11 (3-4-4) to fall to 26-18-5 on the season. However, while Toronto has lost five of six (1-2-3), the Maple Leafs have the luxury of playing in a weak division (Atlantic) and with 57 points, hold a double-digit point cushion for third place. Chicago started the calendar year by winning three of four while scoring 21 goals. However, that was short-lived, as the Blackhawks enter the final contest of a six-game homestand in a 1-4-0 swoon, having scored just SIX goals in five games! The skidding Blackhawks are 22-19-6 and with 50 points, are in last place in the Central Division.
Toronto: The Maple Leafs have looked like a top-notch team at times this season but they have struggled as of late. Toronto has only one win in its past six contests (1-2-3), which prompted head coach Mike Babcock to shuffle some of his scoring lines during Tuesday's practice. He split up longtime linemates Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, but said it was only for the next two away from home. "I'm looking to have more balance and more attack, especially on the road when I don't have last change," said Babcock, who dropped Komarov to the fourth line and replaced him with Mitch Marner on the second unit. Kasperi Kapanen was recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League and skated on Komarov's line. Toronto is led in scoring by Auston Matthews, who has 36 points (21 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games. James van Riemsdyk ranks second on the team with 19 goals, and Marleau is third with 16 goals.
Chicago: The Blackhawks certainly weren't lacking for chances in Monday's 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay (NHL's top team with points), launching 40 shots on goal and failing on six power plays to fall to 0-for-16 with the extra skater on the homestand. "It has to be better, myself included. Myself especially," defenseman Duncan Keith, who along with captain Jonathan Toews did not practice Tuesday because of a maintenance day, told reporters. "We've had games this year where we've played great against top-notch teams," star forward Patrick Kane told reporters. "So we know it's in here. We know we can be confident, given some of the games we've had in the past." Chicago will try to snap a three-game losing streak tonight, a stretch in which the team has been outscored 13-3.
The pick: Chicago has switched between Jeff Glass and Anton Forsberg with No. 1 netminder Corey Crawford sidelined by an upper-body injury. Crawford will miss his 13th consecutive game but is making progress and could return to the ice soon, according to the team. Glass is 3-3-1 with a 3.17 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this season and is expected to get the nod (he never has faced Toronto). The Maple Leafs likely will counter with veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has posted a 23-14-4 record with a 2.69 GAA and .920 save percentage this season. This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between these clubs, as back on Oct. 9 in Toronto, the Maple Leafs outlasted the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime. However, Toronto will be looking for its first win in Chicago in nearly 15 years. Current form may say under but both of these teams have the 'weapons' to score and I'm making the Over a 10* play.
Toronto: The Maple Leafs have looked like a top-notch team at times this season but they have struggled as of late. Toronto has only one win in its past six contests (1-2-3), which prompted head coach Mike Babcock to shuffle some of his scoring lines during Tuesday's practice. He split up longtime linemates Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, but said it was only for the next two away from home. "I'm looking to have more balance and more attack, especially on the road when I don't have last change," said Babcock, who dropped Komarov to the fourth line and replaced him with Mitch Marner on the second unit. Kasperi Kapanen was recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League and skated on Komarov's line. Toronto is led in scoring by Auston Matthews, who has 36 points (21 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games. James van Riemsdyk ranks second on the team with 19 goals, and Marleau is third with 16 goals.
Chicago: The Blackhawks certainly weren't lacking for chances in Monday's 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay (NHL's top team with points), launching 40 shots on goal and failing on six power plays to fall to 0-for-16 with the extra skater on the homestand. "It has to be better, myself included. Myself especially," defenseman Duncan Keith, who along with captain Jonathan Toews did not practice Tuesday because of a maintenance day, told reporters. "We've had games this year where we've played great against top-notch teams," star forward Patrick Kane told reporters. "So we know it's in here. We know we can be confident, given some of the games we've had in the past." Chicago will try to snap a three-game losing streak tonight, a stretch in which the team has been outscored 13-3.
The pick: Chicago has switched between Jeff Glass and Anton Forsberg with No. 1 netminder Corey Crawford sidelined by an upper-body injury. Crawford will miss his 13th consecutive game but is making progress and could return to the ice soon, according to the team. Glass is 3-3-1 with a 3.17 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this season and is expected to get the nod (he never has faced Toronto). The Maple Leafs likely will counter with veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has posted a 23-14-4 record with a 2.69 GAA and .920 save percentage this season. This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between these clubs, as back on Oct. 9 in Toronto, the Maple Leafs outlasted the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime. However, Toronto will be looking for its first win in Chicago in nearly 15 years. Current form may say under but both of these teams have the 'weapons' to score and I'm making the Over a 10* play.
