Toronto Maple Leafs vs St. Louis Blues PreviewThe Toronto Maple Leafs have been off since falling 3-2 to San Jose on Monday, and Friday night will be the Leafs last test before the league takes a break for the Olympics. Since the trades that acquired both J.S Giguere and Dion Phaneuf, the Leafs have gone 2-2 and have looked much better as a team. Fredrik Sjostrom and Christian Hanson are expected to be back in the line up Friday after missing Monday’s game with the flu. The Leafs are currently in last place in the Eastern Conference, and are 14 points out of the last playoff spot.
The St Louis Blues on the other hand have gone through their own adversity this season as well. They fired Andy Murray after 40 games and a 17-17-6 record, and hired Davis Payne as his replacement. Payne has gone 9-8-3 since becoming head coach. St. Louis is coming off a big 4-3 shootout win over Detroit on Tuesday night. The Blues currently hold 13 th spot in the Western Conference Standings, but are only 6 points out of the final playoff spot.
This is the only meeting between these two clubs this season. J.S Giguere recorded back to back shutouts in his first 2 starts with the Leafs before allowing 3 goals to the Sharks on Monday night. Phil Kessel and rookie Tyler Bozak have formed a chemistry in the past three games, as Kessel has 7 points (4g,3a) and Bozak as 4 points (3g,1a) T.J Oshie has been hot as of late for the Blues, with 5 assists in his last 6 games.
The Blues are a league worst 10-16-5 at home this season while the Leafs are 8-17-6 on the road.
By:
Bill Burfoot
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