Toronto will be looking for more as head coach Sheldon Keefe said on Tuesday that the team isn't scoring at the same level that they've been able to.
Toronto will be looking for more as head coach Sheldon Keefe said on Tuesday that the team isn't scoring at the same level that they've been able to.
Another difficult task is upon the Maple Leafs come Wednesday night.
Toronto is coming off a difficult loss to the New York Islanders where they tied the game in the third period before going back down by a goal late in the game to lose 3-2.
The matchup won't get any easier with the Dallas Stars in town. Dallas is the top team in the central division, ten points up of the Maple Leafs in the standings. They also have the fourth-most wins of any team in the league.
However, Toronto might have at a bit of an advantage as the Stars played on Wednesday night in Buffalo. The Maple Leafs might be able to capitalize on a tired Dallas team, but to do so, they'll need all the scoring they can get.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe identified on Tuesday at practice that Toronto is playing well just 50 percent of the time. He also said they haven't been scoring as much as they've done in the past.
A test against one of the NHL's top teams could help change that.
The Stars boast a deep lineup, though, as Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz Tyler Seguin, Matt Duchene, Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski, Mason Marchment, and Wyatt Johnston play throughout Dallas' top nine.
Robertson leads the Stars in points with 17 goals and 33 assists in 50 games, while William Nylander is Toronto's top player with 23 goals and 39 assists in 48 games.
The Maple Leafs are just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning (59 points) for third in the Atlantic Division.
Neither team has confirmed a starter for Wednesday night's matchup inside Scotiabank Arena. But with Jake Oettinger starting in Buffalo on Tuesday, it's likely Dallas goes with Scott Wedgewood in Toronto.
Ilya Samsonov had a strong performance on Monday night vs. the Islanders, so it's possible he gets his second straight start post-All-Star break.
Where to watch
In Canada, you can catch the game on Sportsnet nationally. For those in southwest United States, Bally Sports Oklahoma and Bally Sports Southwest will have the game. The rest of the US can stream the game on ESPN+ and Fubo Sports US.
Those outside of Canada and the United States can stream the game on NHL Live. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 p.m. ET.
Related
'I'm Struggling With It Right Now': Maple Leafs' Timothy Liljegren Feels He Could Be Playing Better
News from THN.com
Opinion: Benoit-Horvat Fight Shows ‘The Code’ Makes No Sense
Potential Changes to CHL-NCAA Player Eligibility Could Be Monumental for Development Streams
New York Rangers Reportedly Interested in Henrique and Vatrano