Game 50: Leafs @ Pens, 7:00pm

[Kaberle15]

The Leafs will try to halt the 8th consecutive win by the Pens, who are seat in the 5th place.

Malkin leads the NHL in points, while linemate Neal has 27 goals.

Toronto will try to extend the winning streak to 3 games. Kessel enjoyed some success in recent games against Pittsburgh, with 2 goals and 5 assistis in the past 4 games against the Pens.

Gustavsson should get the net tonight.

Here is the complete preview: http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=400047633

Go Leafs Go!!!

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

back to backs against the pens?  ..hopefully we split the games

 

[Deebo]

back to backs against the pens?  ..hopefully we split the games

Hopefully we win both!

 

[nutman]

back to backs against the pens?  ..hopefully we split the games

Huh!!!  how about hopefully we win both.

 

[ZBBM]

Pretty quiet GDT.  Hopefully they can set the tone for the back end of the season with this one tonight.

 

[Mack674]

Pretty quiet GDT.  Hopefully they can set the tone for the back end of the season with this one tonight.

Everyone is still holding their breath waiting for this trade to happen.

 

[bustaheims]

back to backs against the pens?  ..hopefully we split the games

A split should be the least the Leafs accomplish here. 3 of 4 points should be the minimum goal.

 

[Stronger Than All]

well here comes another loss...

 

[lc9]

Finally, some hockey again.  I hate all-star breaks.

 

[Zee]

well here comes another loss...

You're so negative.

 

[lc9]

well here comes another loss...

Blow it out your blass!

This is a winner tonight boys.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

back to backs against the pens?  ..hopefully we split the games

A split should be the least the Leafs accomplish here. 3 of 4 points should be the minimum goal.

I guess i'm just not sure what you're basing that on.  The leafs have been hit and miss lately while the penguins have put together a 7 game winning streak..and this is a team that's well aquainted with having a really good second half if i remember correctly.  I of course want the leafs to walk away with two wins...but I think realistically it's going to be hard to do that.  It was hard enough to do it against the islanders and they're nowhere near the team the penguins are.

 

[rdowdall]

back to backs against the pens?  ..hopefully we split the games

A split should be the least the Leafs accomplish here. 3 of 4 points should be the minimum goal.

I guess i'm just not sure what you're basing that on.  The leafs have been hit and miss lately while the penguins have put together a 7 game winning streak..and this is a team that's well aquainted with having a really good second half if i remember correctly.  I of course want the leafs to walk away with two wins...but I think realistically it's going to be hard to do that.  It was hard enough to do it against the islanders and they're nowhere near the team the penguins are.

Not to mention that when Malkin is ordinary he destroys the Leafs.  Imagine what he is going to do against them now that he is superhuman.

 

[bustaheims]

I guess i'm just not sure what you're basing that on.  The leafs have been hit and miss lately while the penguins have put together a 7 game winning streak..and this is a team that's well aquainted with having a really good second half if i remember correctly.  I of course want the leafs to walk away with two wins...but I think realistically it's going to be hard to do that.  It was hard enough to do it against the islanders and they're nowhere near the team the penguins are.

I'm basing on the "this is what the Leafs probably need to do to separate themselves from the pack of team fighting for the final 3 playoffs spots" rationale. Also, with 2 teams that are over .500 going head to head in back to back games, I'll always bet on the split.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Pittsburgh lines:

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Dupuis-Jeffrey-Kennedy
Cooke-Park-Sullivan
McDonald-Vitale-Adams

Orpik-Letang
Martin-Michalek
Engelland-Niskanen

Fleury

 

[Bender]

Pittsburgh lines:

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Dupuis-Jeffrey-Kennedy
Cooke-Park-Sullivan
McDonald-Vitale-Adams

Orpik-Letang
Martin-Michalek
Engelland-Niskanen

Fleury

Seems like Malkin is willing this team to win, because otherwise I don't think that's a very scary lineup at all.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Seems like Malkin is willing this team to win, because otherwise I don't think that's a very scary lineup at all.

The defence and goaltending are pretty solid, but yeah. If the Grabs/Phaneuf unit can shut or slow down the Malkin line, then I like our odds. Fleury doesn't have the greatest numbers against us.

 

[Kin]

Seems like Malkin is willing this team to win, because otherwise I don't think that's a very scary lineup at all.

It's a pretty terrific Top 4 on the blue line though.

 

[lamajama]

JML and Army and Boyce in? if so who's out? Aulie and..and...?

 

[Deebo]

JML and Army and Boyce in? if so who's out? Aulie and..and...?

They are not in.