WINNIPEG JETS (23-16-4) at TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (24-15-5)
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena,
TV: Sportsnet; Radio: 590 AM (Toronto), TSN 1290 (Winnipeg)
THE BIG MATCHUP
Patrik Laine vs. Auston Matthews
Forever linked by the debate in some corners in the weeks leading up to the 2016 NHL draft — when the Maple Leafs chose Matthews first overall and the Jets took Laine second — it’s a shame these two don’t face each other more than twice a season. Each has had success against the other’s club; Matthews has nine points in seven career games versus Winnipeg and Laine seven in seven versus Toronto. Expect to see both on the scoresheet on Wednesday.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Fresh memories
Though there were only five penalties called when the teams met last Thursday in Winnipeg — three against the Jets and two against the Leafs — there were some post-whistle scrums. More of the same, perhaps? “It was a bit of a fiery game, so we imagine it’s going to be a little bit heated,” Leafs centre Jason Spezza said. “It’s probably going to be good for us to have a bit of an emotional, physical game.”
2. Get back on D
The Leafs were burned by an enthusiastic Oilers team on Monday, two nights after they shut out the Islanders. Giving Jets such as Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler the kind of space Connor McDavid was able to take advantage of would be foolish at best. It’s imperative that Toronto perform with more simplicity and smarts in its own zone. Frederik Andersen deserves at least that.
3. Sagging middle
The Leafs have had some trouble in the second period with Sheldon Keefe as coach, and the Jets exposed that last week, firing 23 shots (the most the Leafs have allowed in any period this season) on Andersen and scoring all three of their goals. Winnipeg has an NHL-low 28 goals in the first period, but in the second, has scored 53, tied with the Leafs for second-most in the NHL before games on Tuesday.
4. Refuelling stops
The Jets rebounded after losing to Toronto, starting a four-game trip with three of four points in Minnesota and Montreal, including a win against the Canadiens on Monday. The penalty killers, who sit last in the NHL, gave up just one power-play goal in seven shorthanded situations in the two games. Winnipeg has taken an NHL-low 116 minors, a trend that must continue considering the Leafs’ power play.
5. Net gains?
Connor Hellebuyck fought the puck against the Leafs six days ago and was gone to start the third period after allowing five goals on 17 shots. Hellebuyck will get another shot on Wednesday and should have renewed confidence after stopping 70 of 75 shots in the past two games. Overall, the 26-year-old Hellebuyck has not been great against the Leafs in his career, going 2-3-1 with a .893 save percentage.
MAPLE LEAFS LINES
LW-C-RW
Zach Hyman-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
William Nylander-John Tavares-Alex Kerfoot
Pierre Engvall-Jason Spezza-Kasperi Kapanen
Mason Marchment/Dmytro Timashov-Adam Brooks-Frederik Gauthier
Defence pairs
Morgan Rielly-Tyson Barrie
Martin Marincin-Justin Holl
Travis Dermott-Cody Ceci
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Michael Hutchinson
JETS LINES
LW-C-RW
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Patrik Laine
Nikolaj Ehlers-Blake Wheeler-Jack Roslovic
Andrew Copp-Adam Lowry-Mathieu Perreault
Gabriel Bourque-Nick Shore-Mason Appleton
Defence pairs
Josh Morrissey-Tucker Poolman
Luca Sbisa-Neal Pionk
Sami Niku-Anthony Bitetto/Dimtry Kulikov
Goaltenders
Connor Hellebuyck
Laurent Brossoit
INJURIES
Jets — D Nathan Beaulieu (lower body), C Bryan Little (head), C Mark Letestu (heart), D Dustin Byfuglien (personal).
Maple Leafs — D Jake Muzzin (foot), LW Andreas Johnsson (leg), LW Trevor Moore (concussion), RW Ilya Mikheyev (wrist).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power play
Jets: 20.3% (12th)
Maple Leafs: 24.4% (6th)
Penalty kill
Jets: 72.2% (31st)
Maple Leafs: 75.8% (26th)
