Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (8-3-2, 18 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (6-5-1, 13 points, 7th place Atlantic Division)
How to Watch: Broadcast locally Sportsnet Pittsburgh and nationally on NHL Network
Pens’ Path Ahead: For the first time since October 19+20, the Penguins will get two consecutive days without games, they’re in action next at home on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Then next weekend will be busy, with a 12:30pm eastern game in New Jersey on Saturday followed by a quick trip back home to host the Los Angeles Kings on 2:00pm on Sunday. After that, the team switches gears and won’t play again until they’re in Sweden on Friday November 14th.
Opponent Track: For as poorly as the season started for Toronto, they’ve actually won three out of their last four games, including on the road Saturday night against the Flyers by a 5-2 score. Tonight is the first of a four-game homestand for the Leafs.
Season Series: Toronto comes to Pittsburgh for their only visit of the season on November 29th, the Penguins return back to Toronto on December 23rd and the three-game season series will be all wrapped up before Christmas this season.
Getting to know the Maple Leafs
Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Nicholas Robertson
Bobby McCann – John Tavares – Easton Cowan
Dakota Johnson – Nicolas Roy – Matias Maccelli
Sammy Blais – Max Domi – Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly / Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit / Jake McCabe
Oliver Ekman-Larsson / Philippe Myers
Goalies: Anthony Stolarz and Cayden Primeau
Potential scratches: William Nylander (day-to-day injury), Steven Lorentz
Injured reserve: Joseph Woll, Chris Tanev, Scott Laughton
- Nylander was out last game, couldn’t find much information if he is expected to be able to get back into the lineup tonight. That will be a big point worth watching today to see any gameday skate involvement or comments by coach Craig Berube about the plans for Nylander tonight.
- Robertson got the prime job that Nylander’s absence opened up, and he scored a goal and added an assist last game. Robertson has four points (2G+2A) in his last two games. Going through trade requests and frequent scratches, it’s always been a “will they, won’t they” either find a good spot for him or eventually move the skilled but unestablished player. Fortunately for Robertson, he’s making some hay right now when he’s getting an opportunity.
- Cowan, 20, is another youngster finding himself in a prime spot these days. He only had 8 total shots on goal in his first six games of the season, which has turned around lately with more 7 SOG added in the the last two games – including his first career NHL goal on Saturday night.
- Tavares is getting a little long in the tooth at 35, but the former number one overall pick in 2009 did Toronto a tremendous favor by signing for them at a $4.38 million cap hit and giving one heck of a hometown discount to his beloved team. In this year of transition for the team, they’ve needed his steady presence and big-time production to help the cause.
- It’s been a process for Auston Matthews to find his footing now that Mitch Marner is gone. Matthews had scored more 5v5 goals than anyone since he entered the NHL in 2016 and only had one single 5v5 goal in the first 11 games. He got on the board at even strength against Philadelphia last game out to raise that to two. The early going hasn’t been the most fruitful for him, but considering what we’re talking about this still is a player on pace for 40 goals even in a slump, due to power play scoring.
- Chris Tanev suffered a scary incident last game, getting hospitalized after a collision in his first game back from a concussion. Those Tanev boys are tough, hopefully he won’t be sidelined for too long but listens to his body and returns to health first.
- The ink is barely dry on Anthony Stolarz’s four-year contract extension that begins next year, and goalies, right? Then again, his backup isn’t having much luck out there either. Doesn’t help that Joseph Woll has been out all season on a leave of absence, though he has returned to practice in the last week.
- The Leafs’ depth will be interesting to track over the course of the season. Losing a superstar in Marner and replacing him with capable but lesser pieces like Roy, Maccelli and Johnson as pickups in Marner’s place was intended to even out the depth and make Toronto a more balanced team. It’s early, but that hasn’t been a smooth transition – Toronto still looks very top heavy with a handful of very good players (Tavares, Nylander, Knies, Matthews) and then sort of a grab bag of who is going to be involved or help out after that point.
Filip Hallander – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha – Evgeni Malkin – Philip Tomasino
Tommy Novak – Ben Kindel – Ville Koivunen
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Owen Pickering / Harrison Brunicke
Goalies: Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs
Potential Scratches: Justin Brazeau (day-to-day injury), Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton
IR: Kevin Hayes (upper body), Jack St. Ivany (lower body), Rutger McGroarty (upper body), Joel Blomqvist (lower body), Rickard Rakell (hand, out 6-8 weeks), Caleb Jones (lower body, out 6-8 weeks)
- Let’s watch out for Brazeau’s status today too, the Pens weren’t on the ice yesterday as they continue to navigate their road trip. Kevin Hayes is with the club too and conceivably could be back in the near future too.
- The defense has been fluid and might be again after the rookie third pair was on ice for a handful of goals against versus the Jets.
