TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (30-12-3 – 63 Points) at VANCOUVER CANUCKS (22-21-6 – 50 Points) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022 1 2 3 FINAL TORONTO 0 2 0 2 VANCOUVER 2 1 0 3
ON THE SCORESHEET
Auston Matthews scored on a Toronto power play opportunity at 12:46 of the second period. Matthews recorded his 32nd goal of the season. Matthews is currently on a seven-game point streak where he has recorded 14 points (7G, 7A).
Ondřej Kaše scored on a Maple Leafs power play opportunity at 15:41 of the second period. Kaše recorded his ninth goal of the season.
John Tavares posted the primary assist on Matthews’ goal. Tavares recorded his 27th assist of the season. Tavares has recorded an assist in three-consecutive games (4A).
William Nylander registered the secondary assist on Matthews’ goal. Nylander posted his 26th assist of the season. Nylander has recorded an assist in three-consecutive games (3A).
Jason Spezza recorded the primary assist on Kaše’s goal. Spezza registered his seventh assist of the season.
Rasmus Sandin posted the secondary assist on Kaše’s goal. Sandin recorded his 10th assist of the season. Sandin has recorded a point in back-to-back games (1G, 1A). SHOTS ON GOAL (5-on-5 in brackets) 1st 2nd 3rd TOTAL TORONTO 12 (11) 24 (16) 17 (13) 53 (40) VANCOUVER 11 (8) 7 (6) 6 (5) 24 (19) SHOT ATTEMPTS (5-on-5 in brackets) 1st 2nd 3rd TOTAL TORONTO 25 (21) 36 (28) 30 (21) 91 (70) VANCOUVER 15 (10) 12 (11) 13 (11) 40 (32) ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Maple Leafs are 13-8-2 on the road this season.
Toronto’s all-time record is 66-66-22-4 in 158 games against the Vancouver Canucks and 26-41-11-3 in 81 games played in Vancouver.
Toronto is 14-6-2 against the Western Conference this season and 9-4-0 against the Pacific Division this season. MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
Shots 8 (Rielly) Shot Attempts 15 (Matthews) Faceoff Wins 16 (Tavares) Faceoff Win Percentage 73% (Tavares – 16 won, 6 lost) Hits 4 (Simmonds) Blocked Shots 2 (Muzzin) Takeaways 2 (Matthews) TOI 26:26 (Rielly) Power Play TOI 3:22 (Matthews, Tavares) Shorthanded TOI 4:34 (Marner) Shifts 27 (Marner) 5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage 78.95% (Kerfoot – 15 for, 4 against) RECORD WHEN…
The Maple Leafs were 2-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill tonight.
Toronto is 11-8-2 when the opponent scores the first goal of the game.
The Maple Leafs are 4-5-2 when trailing after one period and 4-11-0 when trailing after two periods.
Toronto is 20-8-2 when outshooting their opponent.
The Maple Leafs are 9-3-2 in Saturday games. OF NOTE…
The Maple Leafs recorded a season-high 53 shots during tonight’s game. The last time the Maple Leafs have registered 53 shots or more during a game dates back to November 27, 2019 in Toronto’s 6-0 win against Detroit.
Morgan Rielly was on the ice for a team-high 30 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5.
Alexander Kerfoot finished the game with a team-high 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 78.95 percent (15 for, 4 against). UPCOMING GAMES: Feb. 14 Leafs at Seattle Climate Pledge Arena 9:00 pm ET Feb. 17 Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Scotiabank Arena 7:00 pm ET Feb. 19 Leafs vs. St. Louis Scotiabank Arena 7:00 pm ET Feb. 21 Leafs at Montreal Bell Centre 7:00 pm ET Feb. 22 Leafs at Columbus Nationwide Arena 7:00 pm ET Feb. 24 Leafs vs. Minnesota Scotiabank Arena 7:00 pm ET
POSTGAME QUOTES: HEAD COACH SHELDON KEEFE On tonight’s game: “Obviously, I didn’t like the start. That first goal that we give up, to me we just lacked the intensity required to start the game in that instance there and it cost us. From that point, I liked a lot about our game, I thought they gave up a little too much with their counter and their transition coming out of our long o-zone sequences and then they would counter and get a pretty good rush chance the other way. Obviously, we deserved a whole lot more offence in goals than we got tonight but that’s what happens you spot them a 2-0 lead, it’s a team that relies on world class goaltending to win games as it is, then you give them a two-goal lead then it’s an uphill climb from there. Loved that our guys kept fighting, two huge power play goals to even the game, tough one to give up at the end of the second there to give them the lead back. Goaltending is the difference but really for me since I don’t coach the goaltender on the other side, it’s about the two goals we give them off the hop.” AUSTON MATTHEWS On tonight’s game: “I think we did a lot of good things. I think our start maybe wasn’t as good as we wanted to and obviously they capitalized on it there early and forced us to have to dig ourselves out of a hole but I thought the second period and the third period we really had a lot of time in their end of the ice and had a lot of really good chances, some unlucky and then some really good saves by their goalie. Just a couple things to clean up especially our start there. I think we start a little bit better and we don’t have to dig ourselves out of a hole I think we’re playing with a little bit more confidence there.” ONDŘEJ KAŠE On his second-period goal: “It was a big goal for me, I haven’t scored in a while. I was happy it was for 2-2. It was a big goal but after that they scored again and you know, I would trade the goal for two points, but I can’t.” On how he felt playing tonight after exiting Thursday’s game early: “I felt really good today actually… It’s kind of tough, after I feel like a good game, we lost two points so it’s tough to say now how I felt.” PETR MRÁZEK On tonight’s game: “Obviously not the start we wanted, down 2-0 early on, but I think we picked it up really well. Starting in the second period we were rolling pretty well and just couldn’t score more.” On the goals he allowed tonight: “The first one, I have to look at it. I didn’t have the time to see it. Obviously, the second one just hit his body and went in. I didn’t like the third goal. An important one that I wish I would have put it in a different spot and I just put it right on his tape.
FINAL SCORE: DENVER NUGGETS 110, TORONTO RAPTORS 109
DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
Denver
110
31-25
Jokic – 28
Jokic – 15
Jokic – 6
Toronto
109
31-24
Siakam – 35
Siakam – 10
Siakam – 7
KEY RUN
Trailing by eight points (94-86) at the 9:33 mark in the fourth quarter, Denver went on a 12-1 run to take a three-point lead (98-95) with 6:54 remaining in the frame … The Nuggets did not trail for the rest of the game … Denver is 7-2 this season when the game is decided by one possession.
KEY STAT
Denver outrebounded Toronto 50-to-35 in the win … The Nuggets are 21-8 when collecting more rebounds than their opponents … Denver has recorded 50+ rebounds in 11-of-56 games this season, something the team did 15 times in 72 contests last year.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win loss, Toronto falls to 31-24 this season and 16-13 at home … The Raptors will begin the first of two road games (Feb. 14-16) before the All-star break Monday in New Orleans.
Pascal Siakam finished with a season-best 35 points, along with 10 rebounds and seven assists in 42 minutes … He has now recorded a career high-tying 18 double-doubles this year … Siakam has finished with 20/10/5 in a franchise-record ten games this year, including four of the last six games (Feb. 3-12), averaging 29.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists during this stretch … Siakam has tallied six games with 30/10/5 in his career, the only Raptor that has more games with this stat line is Vince Carter (10).
Fred VanVleet tallied 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes … VanVleet has now made five three-pointers in four consecutive games played (Feb. 4-12), shooting 50 percent (23-46) from beyond the arc during this stretch … VanVleet has tallied five or more three-pointers in a franchise record 18 games this season.
Scottie Barnes scored 17 points and added five rebounds and three steals in 30 minutes … Barnes has tallied 15+ points 24 times this season … The only Raptors to record more games with 15 or more points in their rookie season are Damon Stoudamire, Vince Carter, Charlie Villanueva and Marcus Camby.
Toronto forced 18 Nuggets turnovers leading to 22 points … The Raptors have pressured opponents into 15 or more turnovers in 31 games this season and are tied for third in the NBA in points off turnovers (18.9).
NUGGETS NOTES:
With the win, Denver improves to 31-25, including 16-15 on the road … The Nuggets will return home to play Orlando Monday night.
Nikola Jokic finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes for his league-leading 44th double-double of the season … Jokic has now recorded 20+ points, 10+ rebounds and five or more assists in a career high-tying six consecutive games (Feb. 1-12), averaging 24.2 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.5 assists during this stretch … The other time he accomplished this streak was earlier this season (Dec. 8-17).
Denver made 14 three-point field goals tonight and has now recorded 10+ three-pointers in a franchise-record 17 consecutive games (Jan. 13 – Feb. 12).
Bones Hyland made his second career start and finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes … The Nuggets are 10-0 this season when Hyland scores in double figures.
Jeff Green tallied 19 points, five rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes … Green tallied 15+ points, five or more rebounds and five or more assists for just the 13th time in his 13-year career, and the first time this season.
Denver shot .464 (39-84) from the field and tallied 110 points in the win … The Nuggets are 22-4, including 12-3 on road when they score 110+ points.
GAME #55 – TORONTO RAPTORS (31-23) vs. DENVER NUGGETS (30-25) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
DEN@TOR
Denver Nuggets Cancar, Vlatko Out Injury/Illness – Right Foot; Surgery Morris, Monte Out Injury/Illness – Concussion; Protocol Murray, Jamal Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Injury Recovery Nnaji, Zeke Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Hamstring; Tightness Porter Jr., Michael Out Injury/Illness – Lumbar Spine; Surgery
Tor0nto Raptors
Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment Champagnie, Justin Out G League – Two-Way Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Soreness
At 4:30 P.M.
• The Toronto Raptors (31-23) host the Denver Nuggets (30-25) on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won a season-high eight straight games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 10) – the longest active winning streak in the NBA. Toronto has won eight in a row for the first time since setting a franchise record with 15 consecutive victories Jan. 15 – Feb. 10, 2020. Over the last eight games, Toronto is shooting .482 (357- 740) from the field and .430 (120-279) from beyond the arc. • The Raptors defeated the Rockets, 139-120, in Houston on Thursday to extend their winning streak to eight games. Toronto scored a season-high 139 points in the victory. Gary Trent Jr. led all scorers with a season-high 42 points, while Pascal Siakam added 30, marking the first time this season the Raptors had two 30-point scorers in the same game. The duo also each scored 25 points in the first half, becoming just the third pair of teammates since 1997-98 to each record 25+ points in the first half of a game, joining Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and James Harden and Chandler Parsons (via @nbastats). • Over the last five games (Feb. 3-10), Pascal Siakam is averaging 27.8 points and shooting .622 (56-90) from the floor, including .444 (8-18) from beyond the arc. Siakam has scored 24+ points in all five games and shot better than 60 percent from the field in each of the last four. • Pascal Siakam is currently averaging 21.8 points, and career highs of 8.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists, in 40 games this season. He is one of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic. • The Raptors announced Thursday they acquired forwards Drew Eubanks (YOU-banks) and Thaddeus Young, along with a 2022 second round draft pick from San Antonio in exchange for Goran Dragic and a protected 2022 first round draft pick. Young is averaging 6.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 14.2 minutes in 26 contests this season. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Young is in his 15th NBA season after being picked 12th overall by Philadelphia in the 2007 NBA Draft. Toronto has waived Eubanks. • Fred VanVleet has been named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. VanVleet becomes just the eighth player in franchise history to earn an All-Star selection. He is the first undrafted player in the NBA to be named an All-Star since Ben Wallace in 2006. VanVleet will also compete in the MTN Dew 3-Point Contest. • Sophomore Precious Achiuwa and rookie Scottie Barnes have been selected to participate in the 2022 Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star 2022. Toronto will have two players in the showcase event for the first time since Andrea Bargnani and Jamario Moon in 2008. Barnes will also participate in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. POSSIBLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.9 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 14.7 • Contributed nine points, and team highs of seven rebounds and six assists, in 33 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston. • Ranks first among rookies in minutes (35.9), second in rebounds (7.7) and fourth in points (14.7). • Leads all rookies with 10 games of 20+ points and five or more rebounds this season. F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 37.1 REB: 5.7 AST: 2.6 STL: 1.6 TO: 1.8 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 18.3 • Finished with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston. • Has scored 20+ points in a single-season career-high 18 games; something he did 13 times last season. • Shooting .474 (36-76) from the field, including .429 (15-35) from three-point range, in six games in February. C – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 37.8 REB: 8.7 AST: 5.2 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 21.8 • Recorded 30 points in 32 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston; added four assists and three rebounds. • Toronto is 30-5 all-time, including a perfect 6-0 this season, when Siakam scores 30 or more points. • Leads the Raptors with 17 double-doubles, one shy of his single-season career high set in 2018-19 (18). G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.9 REB: 2.7 AST: 2.0 STL: 2.0 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.8 • Finished with a season-high 42 points, four assists and four steals in 37 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston. • Ranks second in the NBA in steals per game (1.98) and fifth in total deflections (154). • Has scored 30+ points in six of the last 10 games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 10), averaging a team-high 27.8 points. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.6 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.1 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.6 • Sat out Feb. 10 at Houston due to left groin soreness. • Has scored 20+ points in five consecutive games played (Feb. 1-9), averaging 21.8 points during this streak. • Ranks second in the NBA in total deflections (188), second in three-pointers (191) and seventh in steals (80).
INJURY REPORT Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment ) – Out Justin Champagnie (G League – Two-Way) – Out David Johnson (G League – Two-Way) – Out Fred VanVleet (Left Groin; Soreness) – Questionable
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans Date: Monday, February 14 Tip-Off: 8 p.m. (ET) Venue: Smoothie King Center Television: Sportsnet Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto SERIES RECAP VS. NEW ORLEANS OVERALL HOME ROAD 2021-22 1-0 1-0 0-0 ALL-TIME 26-16 12-9 14-7 STREAKS Won 1 Won 1 Lost 1 LAST WIN: Jan. 9, 2022 (105-101) LAST ROAD WIN: Nov. 8, 2019 (122-104) LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +24 (Mar. 26, 2016) LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -21 (Jan. 29, 2003) LAST TIME VS. NEW ORLEANS GAME 37 – JANUARY 9, 2022 TORONTO 105, NEW ORLEANS 101 TORONTO — Pascal Siakam had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Fred VanVleet scored 32 points and the Raptors extended their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 105-101 win over the Pelicans … OG Anunoby scored 12 points as the Raptors won their fifth straight and 10th of 12 at home … Toronto (20-17) is three games above .500 for the first time since opening the season 6-3 … Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 17 rebounds, and Brandon Ingram scored 22 points for the Pelicans … Toronto had 15 offensive rebounds, leading to a 24-6 edge in secondchance points … Toronto guard Gary Trent Jr. was scratched because of a sore left ankle … Khem Birch started for the Raptors … Valanciunas scored in the paint to tie it at 93-93 with four minutes left to play in the fourth quarter … After a timeout, VanVleet hit a tiebreaking 3, but Graham and Jones answered with back-to-back 3-pointers for the Pelicans … VanVleet responded with a deep 3 with the shot clock winding down … After Siakam forced a steal, VanVleet connected from long distance again to give Toronto a 102-99 lead with 1:32 remaining … The Raptors never relinquished the lead … Toronto led 27-26 after one and 49-48 at halftime … Siakam scored 13 points in the third, but the Pelicans closed the quarter with an 8-0 run … The Raptors took a 79-77 lead to the fourth … Valanciunas played in Toronto for the first time since Dec. 9, 2018. 1 2 3 4 TOT NEW ORLEANS 26 22 29 24 101 TORONTO 27 22 30 26 10
NUGGETS LAST GAME STARTERS POS. NO. PLAYER PPG RPG APG NOTABLES F 50 Aaron Gordon 6-8, 235 14.7 5.7 2.6 Tallied 17 points (8-15 FG’s, 0-5 3FG’s), 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 34 minutes at BOS on 2/11 … Has scored 15+ points in 5 of the last 6 games. F 32 Jeff Green 6-8 235 10.2 3.2 1.2 Posted 7 points (1-6 FG’s, 5-5 F5’s), 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 21 minutes at BOS on 2/11 … Has scored 15+ points in 2 of the last 12 games. C 15 Nikola Jokić 7-0, 284 25.8 13.7 7.9 Registered 23 (9-20 FG’s), 16 rebounds and 11 assists at BOS on 2/11 … Has had a triple double in 8 of the last 14 games … 7th all-time with 72 career triple doubles. G 5Will Barton 6-5, 181 15.5 5.0 4.1 Tallied 20 points (8-12 FG’s, 4-6 3FG’s), 7 rebounds and 5 assists in 37 minutes vs. NYK on 2/8 … Shooting 37.6% from three-point range. G 3 Bones Hyland 6-3, 173 8.7 2.7 1.9 Posted 10 points (4-7 FG’s) and 2 rebounds in 18 minutes in his 1 st career start at BOS on 2/11 … Ranks 1 st among rookies in FT percentage and 10th in 3FG percentage.
TALE OF TWO HALVES The Nuggets snapped their three-game losing streak with a 124-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on 2/6. The story of the game was how the Nuggets flipped in the second half and looked like a new team from the first half. After allowing 75 points in the first half, Denver held Brooklyn to just 29 points in the second half. It was a season-low allowed by Denver in the second half and the first time doing so since 12/9/13 at WAS. It also marked the 11th time in franchise history holding an opponent to 29 or fewer points in the second half. The Nuggets also handed out 37 assists, their second most this season, and are now 25-9 when having 25+ assists and 11- 4 when dishing out 30+ assists this season. FIVE STRAIGHT TO END JANUARY The Nuggets continued their winning ways on the road on their current six game road trip. Denver took down the Milwaukee Bucks 136-100 on 1/30, winning their fifth straight game. It also marked their fourth straight win on the road, the longest streak since winning six in a row in February/March 2021. The Nuggets made 23 threes in the game, tying for the third most made in team history and hade nine players knock down at least one 3FG. Denver is now 11-0 all time when making at least 20 threes in game. They also dished out 39 assists, the 40th time in team history with that many (just 11th since 1991, 11-0 in those game). The Nuggets end January with 11 wins, their fourth straight year with 11+ wins in January. In the first 42 years in team history, Denver had a total of 11+ wins in January only six times. BENCH GOES, WE GO It’s no coincidence that when the Nuggets bench plays well, that usually means good things. They did exactly that on 1/26 at BKN, helping Denver secure a 124-118 road win. The second unit accounted for 51 points, marking the fifth time this season that the bench has had 50+ points in game and the third time in last eight games. Austin Rivers led the way for the second unit, putting up a season-high 25 points on 8-11 FG’s and 7-10 3FG’s and two steals in 26 minutes. Rivers became the first Nuggets reserve since Will Barton (3/16/17) to make 7+ threes in a game and the first to do so on the road since J.R. Smith in 2010. GOING STREAKING The Nuggets finally have their first extended home stand of the season and so far, they have made the most of it. Denver has opened with three wins against the Trail Blazers Lakers and Clippers. Their shot making and ball movement has been elite, helping them achieve two impressive streaks. Denver made 23 three-pointers on 1/15 vs. LAL, the second most made threes in franchise history. The previous game vs. POR on 1/13, the Nuggets knocked down 21, marking the first time in franchise history Denver has made 20+ threes in back-to-back games and just the 28th time in NBA history a team has accomplished that feat. The Nuggets also had a season-high tying 35 assists against the Lakers, followed by 31 assists against the Clippers on 1/19, improving to 9-2 when handing out 30+ assists and 19-6 when having 25+ assists in a game. It also marked the third straight game Denver had 35+ assists, the first time doing that since December 1990. GETTING BIZZY WITH IT When Bones Hyland is playing well, that usually means the Nuggets are succeeding and that was exactly the case vs. LAL on 1/15. The rookie had the best game of his career, posting career-highs in points (27), rebounds (10), minutes played (34), field-goal attempts (15), three-point field goals (6), three-point attempts (10) and tied career-highs in steals (2), field goals (8), free throws (5) and free throw attempts (5). It also marked Hyland’s first career double-double Hyland is the only rookie in the NBA this season to post 27+ points, 10+ rebounds, 2+ assists and 2+ steals … The Nuggets are now 9-0 when Hyland scores 10+ points. Finally, Bones joins Will Barton and Wilson Chandler as just the third Nugget to come off the bench and post 27+ points with 6+ made three-pointers. SECOND UNIT STEPS UP The Nuggets bench hasn’t been a strong suit for Denver this season with lineups being interchanged often due to injuries or COVID protocols. However, the bench was fantastic on 1/13 vs. Portland helping the Nuggets cruise to a 140-108 home victory. The 140 points marked a season-high and it was the first time scoring 140+ points in a non-overtime game since scoring 146 vs. the Pelicans on 11/17/17. The bench was led by Facundo Campazzo who posted 18 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3FG), a season-high tying 12 assists and four steals in 27 minutes for his second double-double of the year. Campazzo became just the fifth reserve in the NBA since 1980-81 to have 18+ points, 12+ assists and 4+ steals, joining Mike Gale, Clyde Drexler, Brevin Knight and Jrue Holiday. The other strong performance from the second unit came from Bones Hyland who posted 17 points (6-12 FG, 5-8 3FG), four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes Bones has proven to be a key to the Nuggets success as they are now 8-0 this season when Bones scores 10+ points. YEAH BABBYYYYY Austin Rivers tenure in Oklahoma City years ago was minimal, as he never suited up for the Thunder after being included in a trade and later waived. But Rivers had his best game of the season at OKC on 1/9. He helped the Nuggets win 99-95, as he posted a season-high 22 points (8-13 FG’s, 6-9 3FG’s), a season-high tying five rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes. It was the fifth time this season a reserve has scored 20+ for the Nuggets (done by five different players). Rivers was on fire from long distance, connecting on six threes, making at least one each quarter. Denver is now 35-7 all time when a bench player makes six or more threes in game. FACUNDO THE MAGICIAN The pride of Cordoba, Argentina saw his second start of the season at Houston on 1/1 due to a COVID depleted team. Campazzo dazzled on the court all night, leading the Nuggets in multiple categories, helping them win 124-111 for their third straight road victory. Campazzo finished with a career-high 22 points (7-11 FG’s, 3-5 3FG’s), a careerhigh tying 12 assists, a career-high tying five steals and four rebounds in 34 minutes. He had an historic night, becoming the first Nuggets guard with 22+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ steals in a game since Allen Iverson in 2008. FACU/MONTE MAGIC Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris have both stepped up when the Nuggets have needed them. They are a big reason why Denver has been able to stay afloat early in the season while getting hit with a serious injury bug. Campazzo and Morris helped lead the Nuggets to a 133-115 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on 12/17. Denver had a season-high 35 assists and had six players score in double figures.
MATINEE AT THE MECCA The Nuggets seven game road trip rolled along with an afternoon contest against the New York Knicks on 12/4. Denver got their second win of the trip, in blowout fashion, winning wire-to-wire 113-99. It marked the 13th win in the last 14 meetings against the Knicks. The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokić who had 32 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in just 27 minutes, the Joker helped put the game away by having a 15-point third quarter. The bench unit was led by Zeke Nnaji’s career night, who finished with a career-high 21 points (7-13 FG’s, 5-9 3FG’s), eight rebounds and two steals in a career-high 34 minutes. Denver made 20 three’s in the game, tying for the fifth most in Nuggets history, with all nine players who attempted one making at least one. BACK ON TRACK The Nuggets went through one of their roughest patches in recent years, losing six straight games but quickly put a stop to that streak in South Beach on 11/29. Nikola Jokić returned to action after missing four games due to right wrist sprain and it made all the difference, leading the Nugget to a 120-111 win. It was a balanced scoring attack for Denver as seven players scored 10+ points. But the big man led the way, posting 24 points on 9-14 shooting, 15 rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes. The Nuggets are now 47-10 all time when the Joker gets 15+ rebounds. Jokić has four games this season with 24+ points, 15+ rebounds and 7+ assists, while the rest of the NBA have combined for four such games. THRILLING START Will Barton has done everything that the Nuggets have asked of him to start the season. Barton has been the consistent for Denver, where injuries have been a theme and various lineups used. The 10-year vet has been playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging career highs in and helping lead the Nuggets night in and night out. SUB 100 CLUB The Nuggets defense has been elite, especially in the Mile High City and it was on full display during the Nuggets five game homestand. Denver went 5-0 at Ball Arena, capped by a 124-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on 11/14. Denver held Portland to just 95 points, the 10th time the Nuggets have held their opponent to under 100 points this season (9-1), the most in the NBA. It also marked the first time in franchise history they swept a five game homestand and held each opponent to under 100 points To start the season, the Nuggets held all eight opponents at home to under 100 points (7-1). It was the longest such streak at home since March 2005. BARTON GETTING BUCKETS Missing three starters due to injury and suspension, the Nuggets needed the next man to step up against the Indiana Pacers and Will Barton did just that. Barton recorded a season-high 30 points (11-19 FG, 6-9 3FG), six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes, leading the Nuggets to a third straight win. It was Barton’s first career game with 30+ points, 6+ rebounds, 3+ assists and 2+ steals and marks the eighth time in his career he has scored 30+ points (6-2). Over his last nine games he has been on fire from long range, going 37-92 (.402) from beyond the arc. BACK-2-BACK GAME DOMINANCE The Nuggets overcame a tough back-to-back schedule as they traveled late into the night to Minnesota on 10/29 after defeating the Mavericks at home. Arriving at the hotel at 4am, Denver responded, taking down the Timberwolves 93-91, winning their 12the straight game against Minnesota. Denver has responded well over the last several seasons when it comes to back-to-backs, since 2018-19 the Nuggets hold a 28-11 record on no rest, the best record in the NBA over that span. Once again, the defense was astounding, holding Minnesota to 91 points, and they now have held and their opponent under 100 in five of six games to start the season for the second time in franchise history. The Nuggets currently hold the #1 rated defense in the league, allowing 96.8 points per game and 42.7% field goal shooting. D” IN DENVER It was a defensive showcase for the Nuggets against the Dallas Mavericks at Ball Arena on 10/29, as Denver defeated Dallas 106-75, moving their record to 3-2. It was one of the best defensive games for the Nuggets in years, allowing only 75 points – the fewest in a game since 1/6/16 (74 vs. Minnesota) and the 26th time in franchise history they held an opponent to 75 points or less. The Nuggets also held Dallas to 29.5% shooting from the field, the first time an opponent shot under 30% from the field since 2/27/09 vs. LAL (28- 94, .298 FG%). The Mavericks scored just 31 points in the second half, and had only two players score in double figures, the fewest Denver has allowed since 12/22/19 at LAL.
2021-22 Matchups vs. Vancouver: First of Two 2020-21 Record vs. Vancouver: 5-3-1 Next Game vs. Vancouver: Saturday, March 5 vs. Vancouver Toronto Season Record: 30-11-3 Toronto Road Record: 13-7-2 TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590
RECENT TRANSACTIONS January 28, 2022 Defenceman Carl Dahlstrom has been assigned to the Maple Leafs taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). January 28, 2022 Defenceman Alex Biega has been reassigned to the Marlies from the Maple Leafs taxi squad. January 24, 2022 Forward Joey Anderson, defenceman Carl Dahlstrom and goaltender Erik Kallgren have be reassigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) from the Maple Leafs taxi squad. January 22, 2022 Goaltender Erik Kallgren has been reassigned to the Maple Leafs taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
LAST GAME Score: Toronto 2 at Calgary 5 Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022 TOR Goals: Sandin, Bunting CGY Goals: Mangiapane, Hanifin, Kylington, Lindholm, Andersson TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 21/26, .808 SV% CGY Goaltender: Markstrom, 46/48, .958 SV% TOR Power Play: 0-for-3 TOR Penalty Kill: 4-for-5
NEXT GAME Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 Opponent: at Seattle Kraken Time: 9:00 pm ET Broadcast Information: Sportsnet (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio) ALL-TIME VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS:
First Matchup between Clubs: October 11, 1970 (Toronto 3 at Vancouver 5) All-Time Record: 66-65-22-4 (157 Games) All-Time Record at Home: 40-25-11-1 (77 Games) All-Time Record on the Road: 26-40-11-3 (80 Games) Last Road Win vs. Opponent: December 10, 2019 (Toronto 4 at Vancouver 1) Record in Last Five Games: 2-2-1 Record in Last 10 Games: 6-3-1
ACTIVE LEADERS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS: Games Played: TJ Brodie (45), Jake Muzzin (40), Jason Spezza (37) Goals: Auston Matthews (14), John Tavares (13), Jason Spezza (9) Assists: John Tavares (16), Mitch Marner (15), Jason Spezza (13), TJ Brodie (13) Points: John Tavares (29), Jason Spezza (22), Mitch Marner (18), Auston Matthews (18) Penalty Minutes: Jake Muzzin (30), Wayne Simmonds (28), TJ Brodie (12)
THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22 Power Play: 37/125 (29.6%) Power Play Goal Leader: 11 – Matthews Power Play Point Leader: 20 – Matthews (11G, 9A) 2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)
ON THE PK IN 2021-22 Penalty Kill: 102/121 (84.3%) Shorthanded Goal Leader: 2 – Marner, Mikheyev Shorthanded Point Leader: 2 – Marner (2G), Mikheyev (2G), Brodie (2A), Kerfoot (2A) 2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)
FAST FACTS Saturday games 14th of 23 (9 home, 14 road) Back-to-Backs played 7 of 13 Record in first game of back-to-back 4-2-1 Record in second game of back-to-back 3-4-0 February games 4th of 12 (4 home, 8 road) UPCOMING MILESTONES
TJ Brodie Nine points away from 300 career NHL points Mitch Marner Two points away from 400 career NHL points Jake Muzzin 10 points away from 300 career NHL points
RECENT MILESTONES TJ Brodie Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK TJ Brodie Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 14, 2021 at EDM Jack Campbell Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16, 2021 vs. NSH Pierre Engvall Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK Ondrej Kaše Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10, 2021 at PHI Ondrej Kaše Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL Alexander Kerfoot Appeared in his 300th career NHL game, Nov. 26, 2021 at SJS Alexander Kerfoot Recorded his 100th career NHL assist, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT Timothy Liljegren Scored his first career NHL goal, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL Auston Matthews Recorded his 400th career NHL point, Jan. 31, 2022 vs. NJD Auston Matthews Recorded his 200th career NHL goal, Oct. 25, 2021 at CAR Ilya Mikheyev Skated in his 100th career NHL game, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL William Nylander Skated in his 400th career NHL game, Feb. 1, 2022 at NJD William Nylander Recorded his 300th career NHL point, Jan. 19, 2022 at NYR Morgan Rielly Recorded his 250th career NHL assist, Oct. 27, 2021 at CHI Morgan Rielly Skated in his 600th career NHL game, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL Wayne Simmonds Skated in his 950th career NHL game, Oct. 16, 2021 vs. OTT Jason Spezza Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28, 2021 at ANA John Tavares Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs, Oct. 18, 2021 vs. NYR John Tavares Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13, 2021 at BUF John Tavares Skated in his 900th career NHL game, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT
2021-22 TEAM LEADERS
CATEGORY LEADER CATEGORY LEADER GOALS 31 – Matthews HITS 79 – Ritchie ASSISTS 35 – Rielly BLOCKED SHOTS 61 – Holl POINTS 54 – Matthews (31G, 23A) TAKEAWAYS 44 – Matthews POWER PLAY POINTS 20 – Matthews (11G, 9A) TOI PER GAME 24:20 – Rielly SHORTHANDED POINTS 2 – Marner (2G), Mikheyev (2G), Brodie (2A), Kerfoot (2A) PP TOI PER GAME 3:10 – Marner PIMs 47 – Simmonds SH TOI PER GAME 2:38 – Muzzin SHOTS 188 – Matthews WINS 21 – Campbell FACEOFF% 60.9% – Tavares GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE 2.39 – Campbell SHOT ATTEMPTS% 58.68% – Matthews SAVE PERCENTAGE .921 – Campbell
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
MATCH-UP INFO Tonight marks the first of two meetings between the Canucks and Maple Leafs this season: Feb. 12 (home), Mar. 5 (away). Vancouver is 4-6-0 in their last 10 games vs the Maple Leafs (3-2-0 in their last 5). The Canucks have a 69-63-22-3 all-time record in 157 games against the Maple Leafs. Vancouver holds a 43-24-11-2 record at home versus Toronto. Among active Canucks skaters, JT Miller leads the team in career scoring vs Toronto with 21 points (9-12-21) in 28 games. Thatcher Demko has played 5 career games vs Toronto (2-3-0), owning a .898 SV% and a 3.45 GAA. Jaroslav Halak has played 20 career games vs the Maple Leafs (10-4-5), owning a .910 SV% and a 2.90 GAA. QUICK NUMBERS Brock Boeser has eight points (4-4-8) in his last 11 games. J.T. Miller has 17 points (7-10-17) in his last 16 games. Quinn Hughes has six points (0-6-6) in his last nine games. Tanner Pearson has six points (2-4-6) in his last 10 games. Elias Pettersson has 10 points (7-3-10) in his last 11 games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has 5 points (2-3-5) in his last three games. LAST MEETING – MAY. 1/21: VAN 1 at TOR 5 Tanner Pearson opened the scoring at 13:28 in the first period, becoming the fifth Canuck to reach the 10-goal mark this season…Quinn Hughes extended his point streak to three games with an assist on the play, while Bo Horvat collected the second assist…Brock Boeser and Travis Hamonic led the team in shots (4)…Jayce Hawryluk registered a team-high in hits (3)…Bo Horvat won 13 of 21 face-offs…Thatcher Demko faced 29 shots. 2021.22 TEAM RANKS LAST GAME PLAYED – FEB. 9/22: VAN 3 vs NYI 6 Oliver Ekman-Larsson opened up scoring for the Canucks with an unassisted goal at 18:56 in the second period…Elias Pettersson followed up with a goal at 13:04 in the second assisted by Vasily Podkolzin…Luke Schenn was close behind with the Canucks third and final goal of the night at 14:35 in the second…Brad Hunt recorded an assist on the play…Luke Schenn led the game in hits (8) and blocked shots (4)…Brock Boeser and Vasily Podkolzin tied for most shots (5)…Thatcher Demko faced 15 shots in relief of Jaroslav Halak. LAST 5 vs TORONTO May. 1/21: VAN 1 at TOR 5 Apr. 29/21: VAN 1 at TOR 4 Apr. 20/21: VAN 6 vs TOR 3 Apr. 18/21: VAN 3 vs TOR 2 (OT)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS Justin Dowling placed on waivers and Ashton Sautner assigned to Abbotsford, Feb. 10 Kyle Burroughs activated from IR, Feb. 8 Tucker Poolman placed on injured IR, Feb. 8 Noah Juulsen and Ashton Sautner recalled from Abbotsford, Feb. 7 CLUB 400 With his first point of the night on Feb. 8 vs ARI J.T. Miller (1-1-2) recorded his 400th career point. Oliver Ekman-Larsson collected 3 assists (0-3-3) to join Miller in the 400 point club. HOME ICE ADVANTAGE Thatcher Demko has posted a .964 SV% and a 1.16 GAA average in his last five starts at home (5-0-0). BOY OH, BO! Bo Horvat (1-1-2) recorded his 71st career multi-point game on Feb. 8 vs ARI. Since his NHL debut in 2014-15, Horvat leads the Canucks in multi-point outings, with the next closest player being Daniel Sedin (52 GP). BANG, BANG, BANG On Feb. 8 vs ARI, Conor Garland, Bo Horvat and Elias Pettersson each scored in a span of 142 seconds. The last time the Canucks tallied a trio of goals in a lesser span was on Jan. 13, 2019 (126 seconds from Brock Boeser, Jay Beagle & Markus Granlund). STINGY DEFENCE Since Bruce Boudreau officially took over as Head Coach on Dec. 6 vs LAK, the Canucks have led the NHL in fewest goals against per game (2.05), jumping the ranks from 23rd in the NHL in GA/GP (3.16) before Boudreau to seventh place on the season overall (2.64). HIT MACHINE Luke Schenn tied a Canucks franchise record in hits (12) on Jan. 31 at CHI, previously set by himself on Mar. 24/19 vs CBJ. His 12 hits were the highest single-game total by any skater in the NHL so far this season. MINUTE MUNCHER Logging 31:07 in time on ice on Jan. 29 at CGY, Quinn Hughes set both a Canucks season-high and a personal career-high in the category. Hughes has led the Canucks in TOI in 28 of 46 games so far this season, with the next closest player (Myers) leading in 10 games.
HATS OFF TO MILLER J.T. Miller recorded his second career hat trick on Jan. 27 vs WPG, matching career-highs in goals (3) and points (4). He became just the third American player in team history to register a hat trick, joining Ryan Kesler (3x) and teammate Brock Boeser (3x). QUICK STRIKES Going 2-for-2 in just 0:17 of cumulative power play time on Jan. 27 at WPG, Vancouver set an NHL record for least power play time (tracked since 2009.10) required in a game to register two power play goals and became the only team to score twice in under 20 total seconds on the man-advantage. A GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT Head Coach Bruce Boudreau coached his 1,000th NHL game (577-306-117) on Jan. 23 vs STL, becoming the 29th coach in NHL history and sixth active Head Coach (Trotz, Ruff, D. Sutter, Laviolette, Tippett) to reach the milestone. Only one head coach in NHL history (Scotty Bowman, 598 wins) had more wins than Boudreau’s 577 at the 1,000 game mark.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • RECENT CANUCKS MILESTONES J.T. Miller – 400 points, Feb. 8 vs ARI Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 400 points, Feb. 8 vs ARI J.T. Miller – 600 GP, Jan. 31 at CHI Alex Chiasson – 600 GP, Jan. 31 at CHI Nils Höglander – 100 GP, Jan. 29 at CGY Tyler Myers – 800 GP, Jan. 25 vs EDM Bruce Boudreau – 1000 GC, Jan. 23 vs STL Elias Pettersson – 100 assists, Jan. 23 vs STL Conor Garland – 200 GP, Jan. 13 at TBL Thatcher Demko – 100 GP, Jan. 11 at FLA Elias Pettersson – 200 GP, Jan. 11 at FLA Brad Hunt – 200 GP, Jan. 11 at FLA CURRENT INJURIES Tucker Poolman – 5 games Travis Hamonic – 21 games Brady Keeper – 48 games Brandon Sutter – 48 games NHL COVID-19 PROTOCOL Matthew Highmore – 2 games Quinn Hughes – 2 games Total man games lost (due to injuries or illness): 253 games 2021.22 CANUCKS INDIVIDUAL HIGHS THE LAST TIME… The Canucks won when leading after 1P: Jan. 31/22 at CHI The Canucks lost when leading after 1P: Nov. 13/21 at VGK The Canucks lost in OT/SO when leading after 1P: Jan. 21/22 vs FLA The Canucks won when leading after 2P: Feb. 8/22 vs ARI The Canucks lost when leading after 2P: Nov. 28/21 at BOS Player Number Date Opponent Goals Miller 3 Jan. 27 at WPG Assists Hughes 4 Dec. 1 at OTT Points Miller, Hughes 4 Latest Jan. 27 at WPG (Miller) Shots Miller, Pearson 7 Latest Dec. 29 at ANA (Pearson) Blocked Shots Myers (2x) 7 Latest Dec. 12 vs CAR (Myers) Hits Schenn 12 Jan. 31 at CHI Face-Off Wins Horvat 21 Nov. 9 vs ANA Penalty Minutes Myers, Chiasson 12 Latest Jan. 29 at CGY (Myers)
The Canucks lost in OT/SO when leading after 2P: Jan. 25/22 vs EDM The Canucks won when trailing after 1P: Jan. 16/22 at WSH The Canucks lost when trailing after 1P: Feb. 9/22 vs NYI The Canucks lost in OT/SO when trailing after 1P: Nov. 9/21 vs ANA The Canucks won when trailing after 2P: Dec. 29/21 at ANA The Canucks lost when trailing after 2P: Feb. 9/22 vs NYI The Canucks lost in OT/SO when trailing after 2P: Dec. 30/21 at LAK The Canucks won when tied after 1P: Feb. 8/22 vs ARI The Canucks lost when tied after 1P: Feb. 1/22 at NSH The Canucks lost in OT/SO when tied after 1P: Jan. 29/22 at CGY The Canucks won when tied after 2P: Jan. 18/22 at NSH The Canucks lost when tied after 2P: Nov. 26/21 at CBJ The Canucks lost in OT/SO when tied after 2P: Jan. 29/22 at CGY 2021.22 SEASON HIGHS AND LOWS Most Goals Scored, Game: 6 (2x), Latest Dec. 1 at OTT Most Goals Scored, Period: 4 (2x), Latest Nov. 7 vs DAL, 2nd period Most Goals Allowed, Game: 7 (2x), Latest Nov. 13 at VGK Most Goals Allowed, Period: 5, Feb. 9 vs NYI, 1st period Fewest Goals Scored, Game: 0 (2x), Latest Jan. 29 at CGY Fewest Goals Allowed, Game: 0, Dec. 6 vs LAK Most PPG Scored, Game: 3, Nov. 7 vs DAL Most PPG Allowed, Game: 3, Nov. 17 vs COL Most SHG Scored, Game: 1 (2x), Latest Jan. 25 vs EDM Most SHG Allowed, Game: 1 (3x), Latest Jan. 11 at FLA Most Shots, Game: 44, Jan. 11 at FLA Most Shots, Period: 23, Oct. 16 at DET, 3rd period Fewest Shots, Game: 15, Jan. 29 at CGY Fewest Shots, Period: 1, Jan. 29 at CGY, 1st period Most Shots Allowed, Game: 50, Jan. 25 vs EDM Most Shots Allowed, Period: 22, Dec. 4 vs PIT, 2nd period Fewest Shots Allowed, Game: 21 (5x), Latest Jan. 13 at TBL Fewest Shots Allowed, Period: 3 (2x), Latest Jan. 23 vs STL, 3rd period Most Hits, Game: 41, Oct. 28 vs PHI Fewest Hits, Game: 5, Oct. 16 at DET Most Blocked Shots, Game: 25, Jan. 25 vs EDM Fewest Blocked Shots, Game: 8 (3x), Latest Jan. 23 vs STL Largest Margin of Victory: 4 goals (4x), Latest Feb. 8 vs ARI (5-1) Largest Margin of Defeat: 6 goals, Nov. 11 at COL (7-1) Longest Win Streak: 7 games, Dec. 6-29 Longest Point Streak: 9 games, Dec. 6-Jan. 1 Longest Winless Streak: 5 games, Nov. 9-17 Longest Pointless Streak: 4 games (2x), Latest Nov. 24-28 VANCOUVER’S 2021.22 RECORD WHEN… Score 4+ Goals: 13-1-0 Score 3 Goals or Less: 8-20-6 Scoring First: 14-5-2 Allow 4+ Goals: 1-13-0 Allow 3 Goals or Less: 20-8-6 Allowing First Goal: 8-15-4 On 0 Days Rest: 2-4-1 On 1 Day Rest: 16-10-3 On 2 Days Rest: 1-6-1 On 3+ Days Rest: 2-1-1 Score a PPG: 17-2-3 Give up a PPG: 9-16-3 25 or More Shots on Goal: 20-18-4 Less than 25 shots: 1-3-2 THREE STARS – FEBRUARY Miller – 5 pts Demko – 5 pts Ekman-Larsson – 5 pts Schenn – 5 pts JANUARY WINNER – MARTIN (15) DECEMBER WINNER – DEMKO, MILLER (20) NOVEMBER WINNER – GARLAND (15) OCTOBER WINNER – DEMKO (15) *5 points are awarded for each Three Stars selectio
2021-22 Matchups vs. Calgary: Second of Two 2021-22 Record vs. Calgary: 1-0-0 2020-21 Record vs. Calgary: 6-2-1 Toronto Season Record: 30-10-3 Toronto Road Record: 13-6-2 TV: TSN4 RADIO: TSN 1050
RECENT TRANSACTIONS January 28, 2022 Defenceman Carl Dahlstrom has been assigned to the Maple Leafs taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). January 28, 2022 Defenceman Alex Biega has been reassigned to the Marlies from the Maple Leafs taxi squad. January 24, 2022 Forward Joey Anderson, defenceman Carl Dahlstrom and goaltender Erik Kallgren have be reassigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) from the Maple Leafs taxi squad. January 22, 2022 Goaltender Erik Kallgren has been reassigned to the Maple Leafs taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
LAST GAME Score: Toronto 4 vs. Carolina 3 – OTW Date: Monday, February 7, 2022 TOR Goals: Matthews (2x), Marner (2x) CAR Goals: Niederreiter, DeAngelo, Stepan TOR Goaltender: Mrazek, 28/31, .903 SV% CAR Goaltender: Andersen, 28/32, .875 SV% TOR Power Play: 1-for-4 TOR Penalty Kill: 1-for-1
NEXT GAME Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022 Opponent: at Vancouver Canucks Time: 7:00 pm ET Broadcast Information: Sportsnet (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio)
INJURY REPORT Jake Muzzin Concussion ALL-TIME VS. CALGARY FLAMES:
First Matchup between Clubs: November 5, 1972 (Toronto 2 at Atlanta 2 – T) All-Time Record: 68-62-12-6 (148 Games) All-Time Record at Home: 39-21-7-4 (71 Games) All-Time Record on the Road: 29-41-5-2 (77 Games) Last Road Win vs. Opponent: April 5, 2021 (Toronto 5 at Calgary 3) Record in Last Five Games: 4-0-1 Record in Last 10 Games: 7-2-1
ACTIVE LEADERS VS. CALGARY FLAMES: Games Played: Jake Muzzin (39), Jason Spezza (36), Wayne Simmonds (33) Goals: John Tavares (10), Jason Spezza (9), Wayne Simmonds (8) Assists: Jake Muzzin (19), John Tavares (16), Morgan Rielly (10), William Nylander (10) Points: John Tavares (26), Jake Muzzin (22), Wayne Simmonds (17) Penalty Minutes: Jason Spezza (33), Wayne Simmonds (27), Jake Muzzin (16)
THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22 Power Play: 37/122 (30.3%) Power Play Goal Leader: 11 – Matthews Power Play Point Leader: 20 – Matthews (11G, 9A) 2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)
ON THE PK IN 2021-22 Penalty Kill: 98/116 (84.5%) Shorthanded Goal Leader: 2 – Marner, Mikheyev Shorthanded Point Leader: 2 – Marner (2G), Mikheyev (2G), Brodie (2A), Kerfoot (2A) 2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)
FAST FACTS Thursday games 5th of 13 (9 home, 4 road) Back-to-Backs played 7 of 13 Record in first game of back-to-back 4-2-1 Record in second game of back-to-back 3-4-0 February games 3rd of 12 (4 home, 8 road) UPCOMING MILESTONES
TJ Brodie Nine points away from 300 career NHL points Mitch Marner Two points away from 400 career NHL points Jake Muzzin 10 points away from 300 career NHL points
RECENT MILESTONES TJ Brodie Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK TJ Brodie Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 14, 2021 at EDM Jack Campbell Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16, 2021 vs. NSH Pierre Engvall Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK Ondrej Kaše Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10, 2021 at PHI Ondrej Kaše Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL Alexander Kerfoot Appeared in his 300th career NHL game, Nov. 26, 2021 at SJS Alexander Kerfoot Recorded his 100th career NHL assist, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT Timothy Liljegren Scored his first career NHL goal, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL Auston Matthews Recorded his 400th career NHL point, Jan. 31, 2022 vs. NJD Auston Matthews Recorded his 200th career NHL goal, Oct. 25, 2021 at CAR Ilya Mikheyev Skated in his 100th career NHL game, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL William Nylander Skated in his 400th career NHL game, Feb. 1, 2022 at NJD William Nylander Recorded his 300th career NHL point, Jan. 19, 2022 at NYR Morgan Rielly Recorded his 250th career NHL assist, Oct. 27, 2021 at CHI Morgan Rielly Skated in his 600th career NHL game, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL Wayne Simmonds Skated in his 950th career NHL game, Oct. 16, 2021 vs. OTT Jason Spezza Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28, 2021 at ANA John Tavares Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs, Oct. 18, 2021 vs. NYR John Tavares Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13, 2021 at BUF John Tavares Skated in his 900th career NHL game, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT
Houston Rockets Garuba, Usman Out Injury/Illness – Left Wrist; Fracture Gordon, Eric Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Heel; Soreness Nix, Daishen Out G League – Two-Way Queen, Trevelin Out G League – Two-Way
Toronto Raptors
Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment Champagnie, Justin Out G League – Two-Way Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way VanVleet, Fred Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Soreness
GAME #54 – TORONTO RAPTORS (30-23) at HOUSTON ROCKETS (15-39) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 – 8 P.M. (ET) – TOYOTA CENTER TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
• The Toronto Raptors (30-23) finish a three-game road trip (Feb. 7-10) Thursday night when they visit the Houston Rockets (15-39). The Raptors have won a season-high seven straight games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 9) – the longest active winning streak in the NBA. Toronto has won seven in a row for the first time since March 3 – Aug. 5, 2020. The Raptors are 7-3 in the second game of a back-to-back, after going 3-13 last season. • Pascal Siakam finished with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists in 40 minutes Wednesday night at Oklahoma City. Siakam has now tallied 20+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a single-season franchise record nine games. Chris Bosh (8) previously held the record set during the 2008-09 campaign. Siakam is currently averaging 21.6 points, and career highs of 8.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists, in 40 games this season. He is one of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic. • The Raptors defeated Oklahoma City 117-98 last night and have now won a season-high seven straight games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 9). Toronto shot .511 (45-88) from the field and improve to 7-1 this year when shooting 50 percent or better. The Raptors also went perfect (14-14) from the free-throw line for the third time this season. All five Raptors starters are averaging 15+ points over the last seven games – Gary Trent Jr. (24.6), Pascal Siakam (24.4), Fred VanVleet (20.6), OG Anunoby (16.0) and Scottie Barnes (15.6). • Fred VanVleet has set a single-season franchise record with five-or-more three-point field goals in 17 games this season. VanVleet currently ranks second in the NBA in three-pointer made (191), behind only Stephen Curry (236). Kyle Lowry holds the Raptors record with 238 threes during the 2017-18 season. • The Raptors currently lead the NBA in deflections per game (17.9) and rank third in steals (9.2). Gary Trent Jr. ranks second in the NBA in steals (1.91) and has recorded a career high-tying five steals in five games this season. The only Raptors in franchise history to record more games with 5+ steals in a single season are Doug Christie (8) during the 1996-97 season and Alvin Robertson (7) in 1995-96. • Fred VanVleet has been named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. VanVleet becomes just the eighth player in franchise history to earn an All-Star selection. He is the first undrafted player in the NBA to be named an All-Star since Ben Wallace in 2006. VanVleet will also compete in the MTN Dew 3-Point Contest. • Sophomore Precious Achiuwa and rookie Scottie Barnes have been selected to participate in the 2022 Rising Stars, which will be played on Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star 2022. Toronto will have two players in the showcase event for the first time since Andrea Bargnani and Jamario Moon in 2008. Barnes will also participate in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. POSSIBLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 36.0 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 14.8 • Contributed 17 points, four assists and two rebounds in 31 minutes Feb. 9 at Oklahoma City. • Leads all rookies in minutes (36.0), ranks second in rebounds (7.7) and fourth in points (14.8). • Has scored 15+ points in a season-high tying four consecutive games (Feb. 3-9), averaging 17.3 points. F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 37.2 REB: 5.8 AST: 2.7 STL: 1.6 TO: 1.8 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 18.4 • Finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season Feb. 9 at Oklahoma City. • Has scored 20+ points in a single-season career-high 18 games; something he did 13 times last season. • Averaging 9.7 rebounds over the last three games (Feb. 4-9); has grabbed 10+ boards in two-of-three games. C – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
• Recorded his team-leading 17th double-double with 27 points, 16 rebounds and five assists Feb. 9 at OKC. • Averaging 24.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over the last seven games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 9). • Has earned 17 double-doubles this season, one shy of his single-season career high set in 2018-19 (18). G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.8 REB: 2.7 AST: 2.0 STL: 1.9 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.2 • Scored 16 points Feb. 9 at Oklahoma City; added two assists and a career high-tying five steals in 34 minutes. • Ranks second in the NBA in steals per game (1.91) and tied for fifth in total deflections (148). • Averaging a team-high 23.8 points and shooting .476 (50-105) from three-point range over the last 11 games. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.6 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.1 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.6 • Tallied 21 points, six assists and two steals in 36 minutes of action Feb. 9 at Oklahoma City. • Ranks second in the NBA in total deflections (188), second in three-pointers (191) and sixth in steals (80). • Has scored 20+ points in five consecutive games (Feb. 1-9), averaging 21.8 points during this streak. .Listed out for the game in Houston (sore left groin).
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 30-23 21-14 9-9 HOME 16-12 10-7 6-5 AWAY 14-11 11-7 3-4 OVERTIME 2-1 2-1 0-0
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Denver Nuggets Date: Saturday, February 12 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto SERIES RECAP VS. DENVER OVERALL HOME ROAD 2020-21 1-1 1-0 0-1 ALL-TIME 20-30 13-12 7-18 STREAKS Lost 1 Won 2 Lost 4 LAST WIN: Mar. 24, 2021 (135-111) LAST HOME WIN: Mar. 24, 2021 (135-111) LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +27 (Mar. 23, 2007) LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -39 (Dec. 2, 2008) LAST TIME VS. DENVER GAME 63 – APRIL 29, 2021 DENVER 121, TORONTO 111 DENVER – Nikola Jokic had 19 points and 11 rebounds in just three quarters to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Toronto Raptors 121-111 … Michael Porter Jr. scored 23 points for the Nuggets, who had seven players score in double figures and used a 31-8 run over the third and fourth quarters to win their fourth straight … Denver improved to 8-1 since Jamal Murray went down with a torn ACL in his left knee on April 12 … Without its starting backcourt, Denver has relied on reserves Facu Campazzo, P.J. Dozier and Shaquille Harrison, a two-way player getting a chance to make an impact … He did Thursday with a season-high 11 points, and Campazzo followed up his first double-double on Wednesday night with 12 points … Jokic’s double-double was his 53rd of the season … OG Anunoby scored 25 points for the Raptors, Kyle Lowry had 20, and Malachi Flynn, who started in place of injured Fred VanVleet (hip), pitched in with 16 … The Nuggets led by six in the second quarter and again late in the third, but Toronto rallied both times to tie the game … It was 87-85 after three quarters … Denver scored the first 12 points of the fourth and held the Raptors to just a pair of 3-pointers by Lowry in the first 5:40 of the fourth … Lowry’s flagrant foul on P.J. Dozier led to a six-point possession for Denver and a 21-point lead. 1 2 3 4 TOT TORONTO 33 24 28 26 111 DENVER 30 29 28 34 121
Garuba, Usman Out Injury/Illness – Left Wrist; Fracture Gordon, Eric Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Heel; Soreness Nix, Daishen Out G League – Two-Way Queen, Trevelin Out G League – Two-Way
Toronto Raptors
Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment Champagnie, Justin Out G League – Two-Way Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way VanVleet, Fred Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Soreness
The Timberwolves’ players established a strong chemistry while its roster showed a few cracks leading up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Minnesota has been one of the hottest teams in the NBA over the past month, feasting on a relatively easily schedule. That vaulted the Wolves even further into contention for a top six seed […]
The Wizards looking toward next season also included trading Montrezl Harrell (to the Hornets) and Aaron Holiday (to the Suns, who also add Torrey Craig from the Pacers).
Improving their top five defense wasn’t thought to be a priority heading into Thursday’s NBA trade deadline – adding a shooter was the goal according to Brad Stevens – but here the Celtics are, even better in that end with a trade that has netted them combo guard Derrick White.
The view from left field 