#CSP #NHL #LEAFSNATION
For the first time since their 2001 sweep of the Senators, can the Maple Leafs open up a 3-0 series lead and push Ottawa to the brink of elimination?
Keys to Game 3
– We’re fully expecting matchups to flip now, with the Senators religiously matching the Shane Pinto line against the Auston Matthews line. That means more responsibility for the John Tavares and Scott Laughton lines against the Tim Stutzle unit, while the Leafs will focus on matching up their Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev pairing vs. Stutzle and co.
– The Matthews line has been fine-to-good so far. They scored the second goal of the series and created some good chances late in Game 2 after Ottawa tied it. Whether it’s Game 3 or Game 4, it would be nice to see a statement five-on-five game from the Leafs‘ big line vs. the Senators’ matchup line to fully tilt this series and take complete command.
– Asked about the Leafs‘ shot blocking, Senators head coach Travis Green noted that his defensemen need to be more selective with their shots. 45% of Ottawa’s shots were blocked in Game 2. It’s a safe bet that Ottawa will seek more high-low plays while still crashing the net. Whether five-on-five or on the penalty kill, the Leafs‘ priority is still boxing out in front.
– It should be assumed Ottawa will come out flying and play their best game. The Leafs need to ensure the game/neutral zone doesn’t open up, grind the Senators’ adrenaline down, and establish an early forecheck/breakout. Don’t get sucked into any extracurricular nonsense, and focus on the game between the whistles.
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines
Forwards
#23 Matthew Knies — #34 Auston Matthews — #16 Mitch Marner
#29 Pontus Holmberg — #91 John Tavares — #88 William Nylander
#67 Max Pacioretty — #11 Max Domi — #74 Bobby McMann
#18 Steven Lorentz — #24 Scott Laughton — #19 Calle Jarnkrok
Defensemen
#22 Jake McCabe — #8 Chris Tanev
#44 Morgan Rielly — #25 Brandon Carlo
#2 Simon Benoit — #95 Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Goaltenders
Starter: #41 Anthony Stolarz
#60 Joseph Woll
Extras: Nick Robertson, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Philippe Myers, Dakota Mermis, Artur Akhtyamov, Jani Hakanpaa
Ottawa Senators Projected Lines
Forwards
#7 Brady Tkachuk — #18 Tim Stutzle — #28 Claude Giroux
#20 Fabian Zetterlund — #24 Dylan Cozens — #19 Drake Batherson
#71 Ridly Greig — #12 Shane Pinto — #22 Michael Amadio
#21 Nick Cousins — #81 Adam Gaudette — #57 David Perron
Defensemen
#85 Jake Sanderson — #2 Artem Zub
#72 Thomas Chabot — #3 Nick Jensen
#43 Tyler Kleven — #33 Nikolas Mattinpalo
Goaltenders
Starter: #35 Linus Ullmark
#31 Anton Forsberg
Extras: Matthew Highmore, Hayden Hodgson, Dennis Gilbert, Travis Hamonic, Leevi Merilainen
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