Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs: Game 6
Time: 7:30 pm Eastern Time
Location: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Broadcast/Streaming: Lightning Radio, Fox Sun Sports, 970 WFLA, TVAS, SN1
Opponent SBNation Site: PensionPlanPuppets.com
Preview:
While this won’t be Steven Stamkos’ first appearance in Air Canada Centre since signing an eight year extension with the Lightning, it will be his first in a Lightning jersey. On the other side of the match is fellow first-overall pick and sensational center Auston Matthews. One is 26 years old and a veteran playing in his 575th NHL game with 315 career goals. The other is 18 years old playing in his 6th NHL game, and already has 5 goals. Both are incredible talents, and it will be intriguing to watch them go head to head.
As has become the norm with Stamkos whenever he comes to Toronto, he was peppered with questions by the Toronto media. Despite the reactions by many heart-broken and delusional Leafs fans over his decision to not come home, Stamkos says he has only had positive interactions with fans in Toronto.
#TBLightning Stamkos said he hasn’t had one negative reaction – in person – from Toronto fans since signing w #TBLightning. “No regrets.”
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) October 24, 2016
After getting shut out by the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 on Thursday before departing on a six-game road trip, Jon Cooper changed up the top three lines. The changes worked and the Lightning scored four goals on the Ottawa Senators in a 4-1 win. The power play clicked for the first time since opening night and went 2/4, though the last power play was only seconds long at the very end of the game.
Same #TBLightning lines: Namestnikov-Stamkos-Kucherov/Palat-Johnson-Drouin/Killorn-Filppula-point/Boyle-Paquette-Brown
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) October 24, 2016
The Lightning will look to continue their hot start (4-1-0) that has them second in the Atlantic Division. The only real road bump was that shutout loss to the Avalanche. Otherwise, the Lightning have looked good.
The upstart Maple Leafs (1-1-3) are coming in to the game on a three game losing streak. They are averaging 3.6 goals per game, but are also allowing 3.6 goals per game. They have a team filled with an interesting mix of veterans and youth with skill sprinkled throughout their line up. The defense is still a question mark at times and new goaltender Frederik Andersen is taking some time to settle in to his new surroundings after Toronto acquired him from the Anaheim Ducks over the summer.
With Andrei Vasilevskiy starting the game against Ottawa, Ben Bishop is likely back in net against the Maple Leafs. Bishop has been shaky and will be looking to turn in a solid performance. If the defense can hold up and Bishop can tighten up his performance, this could be a dominating performance for the Lightning. On the other hand, it could end up being a run and gun, shoot out game that ends up with 10 goals total in the game.
Comparison chart:
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forward Lines
Vladislav Namestnikov – Steven Stamkos – Nikita Kucherov
Ondrej Palat – Tyler Johnson – Jonathan Drouin
Alex Killorn – Valtteri Filppula – Brayden Point
Cedric Paquette – Brian Boyle – J.T. Brown
IR: Ryan Callahan
Defence Pairings
Victor Hedman – Anton Stralman
Jason Garrison – Andrej Sustr
Braydon Coburn – Nikita Nesterov
Likely Scratched: Matt Taormina
Goaltenders
Ben Bishop
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Toronto Maple Leafs
Forward Lines
Zach Hyman – Auston Matthews – William Nylander
James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Mitch Marner
Leo Komarov – Nazem Kadri – Connor Brown
Matt Martin – Peter Holland – Seth Griffith/Josh Leivo
Defence Pairings
Morgan Rielly – Connor Carrick
Jake Gardiner – Roman Polak
Matt Hunwick – Nikita Zaitsev
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Jhonas Enroth