(I’m away this week on a long awaited hockey road trip. So this is my preview with no knowledge of any Leafs’ happenings after Friday, January 25 @ 12:11pm. Head on over to Black and Blueshirts for a day of, New York Rangers based take on the game.)
This Saturday, the Leafs will head into Madison Square Garden to see if they can make it three wins in a row against the Rangers in their rink. Last season the Leafs had a 2-2-0 record from last season against the Rangers – two wins on the road, and two losses at home.
The teams wrapped up the season with a final game at the Air Canada Centre which ended in a 4-3 shootout loss that extended the Leafs’ winless stretch on home ice to nine games.
They’d lost the third game against the Rangers, also on home ice, with a score of 3-0. Rangers goaltender Martin Biron was on a hot streak at the time – 9-2 with a .927 save percentage and 1.88 goals-against average – but the Leafs only managed 20 shots on net and the Rangers dominated the game physically.
But earlier in the season when the Leafs laced up in New York they defeated the Rangers twice – 4-2 final scores in both games. [x] [x]
These road wins against the Rangers could happen again this season. There are very physical players in the line-up this season for the Leafs: Leo Komarov (currently MIA), Matt Frattin, Mark Fraser. Colton Orr has picked up his speed significantly and has been become a more significant enforcer as a result.
The Rangers do bring with them Rick Nash, who’s new to the line-up. They’ve also got big bodies with Mike Rupp and Brian Boyce… and half the team. Arron Asham. Ugh, really? Still?
Leafs’ netminder Jonas Gustavsson played all six games against the Rangers last season.
Why could this be an advantage this season? Gus is gone and we’ve got two different goaltenders facing the team, one of who will start.
Why is this a disadvantage? For the exact same reason.
Both Ben Scrivens (obviously) and James Reimer have never played a game against the Rangers.
Both goaltenders have won on the road this season, but Reimer cleaned up as best he could for Scrivens who – because of lack of defense play for the majority of the game – lost Thursday night’s game to the Islanders. A 7-4 loss.
Of course, the Leafs’ line-up has changed. Carter Ashton and Tim Connolly are playing with the Toronto Marlies. Joey Crabb got a goal and an assist during the game and is now playing with the Washington Capitals. Luke Schenn is in Philadelphia. Jay Rosehill has signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks and is playing for the Norfolk Admirals. Colby Armstrong wandered away.
The Leafs also injected two players who had spent the majority of the season with the Toronto Marlies into the line-up. For these Marlies who weren’t yet in the playoffs, and the Leafs who wouldn’t make the playoffs, this was an opportunity to them the chance to play up. Nazem Kadri saw 15:40 of ice time, Ryan Hamilton 11:42.
The team brought in James van Riemsdyk who has been able to put some serious offense talent to good use. Mike Kostka who had been playing at the AHL level for a few seasons, most recently with the Marlies, has turned into a blue line wizard… at times. Mark Fraser and Leo Komarov bring an added level of physicality to the game. Leo’s skating ability, and his presence in front of the net… just on the ice is already starting to get on the nerves of every opponent he’s faced.
Can the Leafs’ continue to take the win at MSG? We’ll see.
