Pre-Game Talk: Jackets @ Leafs -- 7:30 EST, Jan 22nd

[Mr_Fun]

Jackets come in as losers of the last two games, but have been stingy on defence lately, only allowing 8 goals in their last five games. They're currently tied for the last playoff spot in the east.

Jackets always seem to give us trouble so this is likely to be a really tough test. Just a hunch, but it might be a really good idea to start on time and push hard for that 1st goal.

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[Isaac Nootin]

4:30 pm? Wtf is with the mid day game?

 

[blue stick]

4:30pm start is going to interrupt my afternoon nap. I may be a bit cranky

 

[ZEBROA]

So 10:30pm here in Sweden. Woohoo! Will still not catch it, i refuse to give Viasat sport my money.

 

[arso40]

Has to be a mistake cause I see 7:30 est

 

[weems]

Has to be a mistake cause I see 7:30 est

 

[MSZ]

Mr_Fun is from BC so it is 4:30 for him.

I think CBJ is going to win this one, they have owned the Leafs since the covid year.

 

[crump]

For the coach…

“Like mayne, we finna win again this sire. Already told so earlier we gon get his on this time again. We will win and get points later this week and y'all can bank on that thang also.

They ain't that fast, Van Reemsdyke plays still on their 3rd line... Monaghan is sic, that only tells we should be dominating with our speed. Be aware only for dem cats, like Kill Marchenko, so look real hard for that. They also have some hardness, but Godbranson is on IR so we don’t need our thug to drop his.

Mayne we hard now sire! We doing thangs and moving thangs. “

 

[Nineteen67]

I was excited when I thought we were getting a 3:30 C game…..only to realise it’s the dreaded 6:30 C start…..

Just looked at the standings and an OT game would be ideal

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Title needs to be changed to add time zone. Definitely 7:30pm local time. You already have someone from Sweden above getting unnecessarily excited over an incorrect time.

 

[Evilhomer]

Jackets come in as losers of the last two games, but have been stingy on defence lately, only allowing 8 goals in their last five games. They're currently tied for the last playoff spot in the east.

Jackets always seem to give us trouble so this is likely to be a really tough test. Just a hunch, but it might be a really good idea to start on time and push hard for that 1st goal.

This has to be the only time Columbus has been referred to as a "tough test". I expect the Leafs' first line to dominate again.

 

[DarkKnight]

Now how do we know to start on time?

 

[Macallan18]

Damn, I was looking forward to some day drinking>>>

 

[Jojalu]

This has to be the only time Columbus has been referred to as a "tough test". I expect the Leafs' first line to dominate again.

Parity.

The difference between the Leafs and the 8th place Habs is 6 wins in 47 games.

The Leafs are obviously better, but any team can compete on any given night. If the Leafs show up with the mindset that it's just a Wed game in Jan, then the Blue Jackets will 100% have a chance to bite them in the ass.

 

[ACC1224]

Any lineup changes expected? Yes, Reaves is back in.

GAME DAY: Blue Jackets are back in Toronto, still in playoff race

It's nothing short of a miracle how Columbus has galvanized its team after a difficult summer, training camp and start to its season.

torontosun.com

There’s a polar vortex everywhere in Eastern Canada, except with the heated Leafs offence. It has burned goalies 16 times during a three-game winning streak, while Toronto has given up nine in that span … Captain Auston Matthews will be seeking a goal in his fifth straight game, William Nylander was in second place in the league with 28 prior to other teams being in action Tuesday … Columbus was on a mid-winter tear, though back-to-back losses — 1-0 to the Rangers and 3-1 to the Islanders — snapped a six-game victory run, its longest in five years … The Jackets’ power play ranks second in the league at 36.4%, though Toronto has stepped that part of its special teams up, too … Columbus could turn to Daniil Tarasov in net after his previous game was a 1-0 overtime loss of the Rangers and he beat the Leafs in Ohio in October … Joseph Woll seeks his fourth victory for Toronto in his career-high 26th start.

THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP​

Matthew Knies / Auston Matthews / Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann / Pontus Holmberg / William Nylander
Max Domi / Fraser Minten / Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz / David Kampf / Ryan Reaves

​

Morgan Rielly / Jake McCabe
Oliver Ekman-Larsson / Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit / Connor Timmins

Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby

Heading into Wednesday’s home game against Columbus, Auston Matthews’ 64 game-opening goals (he added one Monday), are second most among all players since he entered the League in 2016-17, behind David Pastrnak’s 73 … Toronto’s record leading afer two periods is now 20-0-0 … Leafs are 4-0 on the NHL’s new Monday night on-line broadcasts, out-scoring opponents 19-9. As they say on Star Trek, fulfill the Prime Directive.

 

[Evilhomer]

Parity.

The difference between the Leafs and the 8th place Habs is 6 wins in 47 games.

The Leafs are obviously better, but any team can compete on any given night. If the Leafs show up with the mindset that it's just a Wed game in Jan, then the Blue Jackets will 100% have a chance to bite them in the ass.

I could see Saturday's game being more of a challenge, but not this one. Columbus has a couple of key guys out, and their goaltending won't hold up against Toronto's offense.

 

[Metroid]

Had to double take this 430 thing.
GLG

 

[Fogelhund]

Damn, I was looking forward to some day drinking>>>

Nothing stopping you...

 

[Fogelhund]

""

Expected lineup for tonight, based on yesterday's practice. Woll had the day off yesterday, he's expected in net.

 

[Evilhomer]

Good. Keep playing Woll every game possible. He needs to shed this reputation that he needs time off. He doesn't.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

The game is in fact starting at 4:30PM. Pacific Time

 

[SprDaVE]

Quillan called up. I don't think he plays, just a back up in case of last minute injury

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[Fogelhund]

""

""

Quillan has six goals and nine assists in 35 games with the Marlies this season, but has been hot lately, scoring five points — three of which are goals — in as many games. He's mostly centered AHL Toronto's third line under head coach John Gruden this season.

"I really believe that he continues to grow. Like, he's understanding the game's not played all at one speed. He has great speed," Gruden said last week. "To understand how to change gears, and when to attack, he's done a really good job."

 

[Suntouchable13]

Perhaps too early, but this could be a possible a first round matchup. Leafs have to come out hard and set the tone early. This is not a throwaway game. Columbus is a good team and we could be facing them in April.