Toronto Maple Leafs: Rumble At The Rogers Arena
The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to the picturesque West Coast this Sunday hoping to inflict the same result on a struggling Canucks team.
Most importantly, the Toronto Maple Leafs be looking to avoid the ugly scenes that marred the last meeting between the two.
My view from the Toronto side of things would be to play down all of this hype that will be around the rematch. Casting your minds back to THAT hit on Daniel Sedin by Nazem Kadri. The Vancouver are going to make a big deal of this matchup and here’s why:
Struggling Canucks
A struggling side will always look for that extra impetus. Or excuse to get themselves the W, especially when sitting 28th in the league. My evidence? Look at when things turned ugly for the Canucks in the ACC, they were the ones getting overly feisty, resulting in a mindboggling 157 PIMs in the 3rd frame.
It’s what beaten teams do. We should expect a similar response from the BC side this time out. I expect Kadri to take a beating this game, and it’ll just be up to his team mates and officials to protect him.
I’m not saying that the Leafs were completely innocent. Look at the cheap stick hit that Reilly takes moments before a huge hit. They were riled up (no pun intended) and have to keep their cool on Sunday.
@MapleLeafs rematch with @Canucks tom. #tmltalk #tml #toronto #mapleleafs #vancouver #canucks #hockeynightincanada #nhl #hockey @runTBC pic.twitter.com/fNe2YA8iDi
— Patrick Helpard (@trickgh83) December 2, 2016
Leafs Mindset
All of this nonsense aside, I would love and expect the Leafs organisation to take absolutely no notice of the frenzy that will be wipped up.
Babcock will be as professional as ever, as will the players with the fear of Lou in their eyes if they don’t. They are a better hockey team, and if they play their game they will win.
The loss will come if they get distracted by what the Canucks are doing. Marner is due a goal, against this defense he should have a field day.
Predicted score: 3-1 Leafs Goals: JVR, Matthews, Marner
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