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The Last 10 Games: New Jersey is 4-6-0 (and falling) while the Leafs are 5-4-1
Season Series: Toronto leads 1-0 after beating NJ 5-3 on Nov 2nd
Know Your Enemy: Puckin Eh
What We Think of the Leafs: There is only one original six team I can’t stand and that is not the Toronto Maple Leafs so hats off to them for the season they are having. You knew it was a matter of time before Brian Burke had this team playing in the top half of the standings. Yes, the Leafs had to go through a few bad seasons but it looks like that’s yesterday’s news. Almost wish the Devils were mimicking the Leafs in that department but we aren’t a bad team and we certainly aren’t a good team so it might be years of mediocrity for us.
What To Expect Tonight: This horrible road trip continues and ends tonight. The Devils have been outscored in the last 3 games 14-5. To add insult to injury, we got pounded by the Avs, a weaker team, lost to the Wild, which was expected but then lost to the Jets, another weaker team.
The Devils are slumping and slumping badly right now. There hasn’t been any sign of life since we left NJ on this road trip. Hopefully the Devils found that life as the returned to NJ the other day before heading up to Toronto.
Toronto is a tough team and visitors have a tough time in their building so tonight will be interesting. The Devils will need to pay attention to Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul because they are deadly with the puck. The Leafs are one of 6 teams that average 3+ goals a game this season (5th overall in the NHL while the Devils are 27th).
Players To Watch:
Joffrey Lupul – He has 13 goals and 18 assists this season which is far more than any Devil has this season. He also led the league in points for the month of November with 19 points which is more than half of his 31 points accumulated so far this season. To say Lupul is on a tear would be putting it mildly. Burke knew what he was doing when he went after this guy last season
Adam Henrique – He’s been a pleasant surprise so far this season. He has a current 5 game point streak and has been one of the few bright lights lately. I do get excited when this kid touches the puck.
Projected Lines:
Forwards:
Parise – Henrique – Kovalchuk
Tedenby – Elias – Sykora
Zubrus – Carter – Clarkson
Boulton – Sestito – Palmieri
Defense:
Greene – Volchenkov
Tallinder – Fayne
Salavandor – Larsson
Goaltender:
Brodeur
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