Maple Leafs vs Mammoth: Toronto chases first back-to-back win in Utah
Key takeaways
- Toronto visits Utah on Oct. 13 at 9 pm ET. The Leafs want back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
- John Tavares returns to the lineup. Chris Tanev is out with an injury. Anthony Stolarz is set to start in goal.
- Utah holds a 4-2-0 record. Toronto sits at 3-2-1. Special teams could decide this road game.
Toronto was set to visit Utah on Tuesday night Puck drop was set for 9 pm ET Puck drop means the start of the game.
The game was set for Delta Center in Salt Lake City Toronto wanted two wins in a row The team had not done that yet this season.
This article previews the game. All sources used here came out before puck drop. It does not report a final score.
What happened
Toronto beat Colorado 6-3 in its last game. That win gave Toronto its first road win of the season. It also set up a shot at two wins in a row.
Nick Blankenburg scored on his first shift as a Leaf. It was his first goal for Toronto. The NHL called it the fourth fastest debut goal in team history.
William Nylander had five points in that game. He scored two goals and added three assists. The night also gave him his 700th career point in the NHL.
Auston Matthews scored twice and added two assists. It was his second four-point game of the season. Both stars were hot at the right time.
Gavin McKenna added an assist in that game He is 18 years old or younger He is the first Leaf that young with a point in three straight games.
The last one was Russ Courtnall in March 1984.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves in that game. It was his first win for Toronto. The goalie gave the team a lift.
Now Toronto faced Utah. The NHL listed Toronto at 3-2-1 with 7 points. Utah stood at 4-2-0 with 8 points.
This was the fifth meeting since Utah moved from Arizona. Toronto made its third visit to Delta Center. The Leafs held a 1-1-0 record there.
Fans can also read our Sabres vs Canadiens preview for another Oct. 13 matchup.
Why it matters
A road win would build trust early in the season. Toronto had not yet won two games in a row. A second straight win would change that fast.
Special teams could decide the night. A power play is when one team has more skaters after a penalty. A penalty kill is when a team defends with fewer skaters.
Utah scored on 40.0 percent of its power plays That ranked second best in the league Toronto stopped 95.0 percent of power plays against it.
That ranked second best too.
So Utah's best weapon met Toronto's best shield. That battle was worth a close watch. Toronto also had a clear edge on its own power play.
Toronto scored on 26.3 percent of its power plays That ranked tied for sixth in the league Utah stopped only 77.3 percent of power plays against it.
That ranked 19th.
Utah scored 22 goals in six games Toronto scored 20 goals in six games Utah gave up 15 goals.
Toronto gave up 17 goals The two teams looked close on paper.
Star form pointed to a high-scoring night Nylander led Toronto with 11 points He had 5 goals and 6 assists.
Matthews had 10 points He had 4 goals and 6 assists.
Nick Schmaltz led Utah with 8 points He had 6 goals and 2 assists Clayton Keller had 8 points too.
He had 1 goal and 7 assists.
John Tavares was set to return to the lineup He missed the Colorado game He was away after the birth of his fourth child, Tucker Tavares.
His return added depth at center.
Chris Tanev was set to miss the game with an injury No timeline was given for his return Darren Raddysh said: "Tanny's a big loss for us.
" The team needed others to step up on defense.
Utah head coach Andre Tourigny praised Toronto before the game He said: "Toronto played really good hockey lately " He also warned: "They will make you pay for it.
" He meant Toronto's top scorers.
Our Senators vs Devils recap covers another recent NHL night.
What happens next
The lines told the story before puck drop Toronto's top line was Kirill Marchenko, Auston Matthews, and Jack Roslovic The second line was Easton Cowan, John Tavares, and William Nylander.
The third line was Gavin McKenna, Nick Paul, and Colton Sissons.
On defense, Jake McCabe was set to pair with Darren Raddysh. Morgan Rielly was set to pair with Troy Stecher. Oliver Ekman-Larsson was set to pair with Nick Blankenburg.
Anthony Stolarz was set to start in goal for Toronto Sergei Bobrovsky was set to back him up For Utah, Karel Vejmelka was set to start.
Sebastian Cossa was set to back him up.
Utah's top line was Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Lawson Crouse. The second line was Kailer Yamamoto, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther. The third line was Barrett Hayton, Vincent Trocheck, and Anders Lee.
Utah also missed two players to injury Maveric Lamoureux was out with a shoulder injury Michael Carcone was out with an upper body injury.
Toronto also missed Dakota Joshua and Max Domi.
Watch the Tavares line first Tavares, Cowan, and Nylander could set the pace Watch the young players too.
McKenna and Cowan had made a real mark already.
Watch special teams all night. Utah's power play against Toronto's penalty kill was the key clash. Toronto's power play against Utah's penalty kill was the other one.
A win in normal time would give Toronto 9 points. That would move Toronto past Utah's 8 points. It would also give Toronto its first two-game win run of the season.
Fans could watch on TSN in Canada. Fans could listen on TSN 1050 radio. Check local listings for the exact channel in your area.
Our Timberwolves vs Knicks preseason score covers hoops action for basketball fans.
This game was a test for Toronto A win would show the road win in Colorado was real A loss would leave Toronto still looking for a win run.
Either way, the young players and the special teams gave fans a lot to watch After the game, Toronto would know where it stood.
More sports news today: Parker Messick starts ALCS Game 2 for Guardians; Barcelona beats Galatasaray in Champions League; Rams sign Blake Grupe and release Harrison Mevis; Boca vs Vasco in Copa Sudamericana semifinal.
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