GDT: LEAFS vs AVALANCHE – DECEMBER 1st, 2021 (7:30pm EST on SPORSNET ONTARIO)

[LeafChief]

Toronto Maple Leafs (16-6-1) vs Colorado Avalanche (11-6-1)​

RETURN OF THE MACK. Nathan Mackinnon is expected to return to the Avalanche line-up tonight after missing a few weeks with an injury. In his absence, former Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri has gone on an absolute tear with 27 points in only 18 games so far this season.

The Leafs themselves have been clicking as of late, sweeping the California road trip and winner of their last four. The Leafs have won 9 of their last 10 games. The Leafs return home for a quick stop at the Scotiabank Arena (should have been called the Scotiabank Gardens in my opinion!) before heading back out west for games against Winnipeg and Minnesota on the weekend.​

Leafs prospect Joey Anderson is expected to make his season debut tonight. I would imagine this means Ondrej Kase is going to be out for a third consecutive game. I would also assume that we won’t be seeing Kyle Clifford in this one after he made his season debut on Sunday. Below are the line-ups for each team in their most recent game. As mentioned above, there will be changes to both lineups.​

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We’ve got some firepower in the building tonight and we may see a high scoring affair. Below are the top scorers for each team so far to this point into the season. John Tavares leads the way for the Leafs and his former London Knights teammate Nazem Kadri leads the way for the Avs.

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Hopefully the Leafs can keep a good thing going here. Seems some people in the PGT are chalking this up as a loss. Sure, they might lose but we have no time for a loser’s attitude. Kick rocks!

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[LeafChief]

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[Leaf Rocket]

Great work brother! Also Im gonna like seeing kadri again...hopefully he lays an egg but knowing how ex-leaf luck is...he'll be going for a hatty.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

They can take over 1st overall in the NHL hopefully that gives them some motivation

 

[zeke]

Not gonna see a worse GSVA comp for the Leafs this year than this.

Avs are realgud. And of course we get to play them the first game they have all their best pieces in the lineup together.

Great early test of the Leafs' defensive system. Luckily their goalies haven't impressed this year so we need to get some pucks past them.

 

[leafsfan5]

This is a good matchup. Probably the two best teams in the league at the moment considering how on fire both of them are. Toronto’s doing it led by the defense/Campbell while Colorado is doing it through the offensive explosion they’re on. Both teams also have skill to burn and Mackinnon makes his return this game

Should be a good one!

 

[rojac]

The game is actually on Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet East, and Sportsnet West. And it's a national game so no blackouts -- just in case anyone was confused by the Sportsnet Ontario listing.

 

[Mugzy97]

Great GDT @LeafChief !

 

[ACC1224]

Expecting Campbell to start. Guessing Lilijgren sits again?

Need to start on time for this one, play a full 60 minutes.

 

[saltming]

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Just want to point out that Dermot is on that list of the best pick movers and way to go mo

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

Kadri has 7 goals and 20 assists in 18 games? What is he sprinkling in his shawarmas before the games?

 

[Racer88]

Looking forward to tonight’s game. This will be a very good test and I’m expecting a Leafs win

 

[Koolboss]

Kadri has 7 goals and 20 assists in 18 games? What is his sprinkling in his shawarmas before the games?

Dried Dubas fans tears I bet

 

[MoreMogilny]

This is probably the biggest test of the year for this team.

MacKinnon is back tonight.

I think the Avs are averaging over 5 goals a game for the previous 8 games.

I’ve been impressed with our defensive game but if there’s one team that can break it the Avs are it. I’m hoping we don’t get victimized by their speed and transition but I do worry about some of our heavy footed players.

Either way this is a real contender and if the Leafs want to show that they can hang with any team in the league then this is the game to do it

 

[diehardleafsfan9878]

Kadri has 7 goals and 20 assists in 18 games? What is his sprinkling in his shawarmas before the games?

Ped's

 

[ACC1224]

Should be an interesting contrast.
Avs games tend to go Over 12-4-2 while the Leafs tend to be Under 8-15.
Will the Leafs grind them down or get into a run and gun game?

NHL Game Page

Crazy Leafs have played 5 more games

 

[VanW27]

Kadri has 7 goals and 20 assists in 18 games? What is his sprinkling in his shawarmas before the games?

Dried Dubas fans tears I bet

Ped's

Money, it's always money. He's 31 now, had a poor regular season last year, another playoff suspension, and was ok the two years before that. He needs a big year to land his big money retirement contract. I love Naz, but some team will immediately regret whatever they sign him to this offseason.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Just want to point out that Dermot is on that list of the best pick movers and way to go mo

That's interesting. If you can provide some more details on this I'd be very interested!

Dried Dubas fans tears I bet

??

 

[PromisedLand]

Love ya both Naz and Mack. But please take a chill pill for today. okay okay I also have a soft spot for Makar the guy is a beast lol

Lets keep this winning train rolling baby

P.S. I hope they do a decent tribute video for Naz, get him emotional so he forgets how to play hockey for 3 periods tonight; yea I know they have done that already in 2019 but do it again

 

[ACC1224]

Love ya both Naz and Mack. But please take a chill pill for today. okay okay I also have a soft spot for Makar the guy is a beast lol

Lets keep this winning train rolling baby

P.S. I hope they do a decent tribute video for Naz, get him emotional so he forgets how to play hockey for 3 periods tonight

They only do that on the first visit back not every time a player comes back to play.

 

[The Blueprint]

Soup shutout tonight and the media goes insane, bank on it

 

[PromisedLand]

Soup shutout tonight and the media goes insane, bank on it

don't jinx it man..........

 

[ACC1224]

Soup shutout tonight and the media goes insane, bank on it

That's a tall ask against this Team.

 

[Mess]

This should be a good game.

It generally tough coming home after an west coast trip though Cali but with a sweep the Leafs should be on a high going in.

 

[ACC1224]

This should be a good game.

It generally tough coming home after an west coast trip though Cali but with a sweep the Leafs should be on a high going in.

Apparently the Leafs have won 4 in a row after coming back from the West Coast.
Let's make it 5!