SAN FRANCISCO — There was no championship on the line and the game wasn’t held in Oakland, but there was still some deja vu for the Raptors on Thursday night. Read More
SAN FRANCISCO — There was no championship on the line and the game wasn’t held in Oakland, but there was still some deja vu for the Raptors on Thursday night.
Just like last June, Toronto bested Golden State, spoiling the return of superstar guard Stephen Curry following a 58-game absence.
The Warriors fought hard, but were outlasted by the visitors 121-113.
Toronto clinched its seventh straight playoff appearance after making the post-season only five times in its first 18 seasons.
Norman Powell led the way with a career-high 37 points, Kyle Lowry added 26 and Serge Ibaka returned from a three-game absence and had 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Warriors missed two clutch free throws late and couldn’t connect from three twice after grabbing offensive rebounds, allowing the Raptors to pick up the victory. Curry scored 23 and added seven assists and seven rebounds in an impressive, rust-free performance.
The buzz was back in the Bay — Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joked pre-game about how many more media members had suddenly appeared, jumping on the bandwagon now that Curry was healthy. But the team was without Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, robbing the defence of any resistance, especially at the rim, while all-star guard Klay Thompson won’t play this season after tearing his ACL during the NBA Finals against Toronto. The Raptors weren’t whole either, though Ibaka played. Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol were both not quite ready, but are close.
Curry looked as good as ever. He connected on a four-point play in the third quarter, buried three-pointers from all over the floor and made some clever passes against an opponent he always beats up on. Only Allen Iverson has averaged more points per game against the Raptors. His new sidekick Andrew Wiggins sparkled in the fourth quarter, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Kyle Clifford (45), Jake Muzzin (30), Jason Spezza (24)
GOALS:
John Tavares (10), Kyle Clifford (4), Auston Matthews (4)
ASSISTS:
Jake Muzzin (12), Jason Spezza (11), John Tavares (10)
POINTS:
John Tavares (20), Jake Muzzin (14), Jason Spezza (13)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Kyle Clifford (83), Jake Muzzin (12), John Tavares (8)
MAPLE LEAFS – DUCKS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
ANAHEIM
GOALS FOR (Rank):
234 (1st)
169 (29th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
219 (28th)
213 (t-25th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
43/187 [23.0%] (7th)
25/175 [14.3%] (31st)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
144/187 [77.0%] (t-24th)
154/200 [77.0%] (t-24th)
SHOTS (Rank):
2235 (3rd)
2010 (27th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
3376 (t-2nd)
2978 (17th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
52.1% (6th)
48.4% (24th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.6% (3rd)
50.4% (12th)
MAPLE LEAFS – DUCKS NOTES
First Matchup between Clubs:
November 17, 1993 (Toronto 4, Anaheim 3)
All-Time Record:
28-11-5-1 (45 Games)
All-Time Record at Home:
17-3-4-1 (25 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road:
11-8-1-0 (20 Games)
Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road:
November 16, 2018 (Toronto 2, Anaheim 1 OT)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. DUCKS
Frederik Andersen
Selected by Anaheim in the third round (87th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft Appeared in 125 Games for the Ducks from 2013-16.
Jack Campbell
First NHL game (October 20, 2013 DAL at Anaheim) First game as a Maple Leaf (February 7, 2020 vs. Anaheim) First win as a Maple Leaf (February 7, 2020 vs. Anaheim)
Kyle Clifford
First game as a Maple Leaf (February 7, 2020 vs. Anaheim)
Zach Hyman
200th NHL game (November 16, 2018 at Anaheim)
Jake Muzzin
300th NHL game (November 1, 2016 (LAK) vs. Anaheim) First goal as a Maple Leaf (February 4, 2019 vs. Anaheim) First point as a Maple Leaf (Assist) (February 4, 2019 vs. Anaheim)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
46 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
49 (Marner)
POINTS
79 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
24 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
40 (Muzzin)
SHOTS
279 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
55.3% (Tavares)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
54.6% (Nylander)
BLOCKED SHOTS
110 (Muzzin)
TAKEAWAYS
74 (Matthews)
HITS
109 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:15 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:10 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
2:50 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS SNAPSHOTS
Faceoffs
– The Maple Leafs rank third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.6%) and are third among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (54.0%).
Goals by Strength
– The Maple Leafs hold the NHL lead in goals scored at 5-on-5 (159).
Goals by Period
– Toronto is second in the NHL in goals scored in the second period (86) and are tied for sixth in the NHL in goals scored in the third period (77).
Power Play
– The Maple Leafs are tied for the fewest power play opportunities (187) among NHL teams that have scored at least 40 power play goals (43).
Penalty Kill
– Toronto has been shorthanded 187 times this season, which is the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL.
Scoring First
– Toronto has a .767 win percentage when scoring first, which is tied for the fourth-highest in the NHL.
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Tied for third among NHL goaltenders in wins (28).- Ranks fourth in the NHL in saves (1,402).- Is 2-1-0 with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in four career games against Anaheim.- Has a 16-6-0 record on the road in 2019-20, with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage
Tyson Barrie
– Has eight multi-assist games, which is tied for the fourth-most among NHL defencemen.- Tied for third among NHL defencemen in multi-point games (12). – Averages 14.26 shot attempts per game at 5-on-5, which is the fifth-highest average among NHL defencemen who have played in at least 50 games.- Ranks 17th among NHL defencemen in 5-on-5 time on ice per game (18:18).- Ranks 15th among NHL defencemen in slap shots taken (56).
Jack Campbell
– Has a 3-1-1 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average since being acquired by the Maple Leafs.- Has an 11-10-1 record in 25 career games against Pacific Division opponents with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
Kyle Clifford
– Tied for eighth among NHL left wingers who have appeared in 50 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.0%). – Averages 14.90 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks 19th among left wingers.- Ranks 10.38 hits per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks 28th among NHL skaters.
Pierre Engvall
– Sixth among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 40 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (51.4%). – Has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 53.5 percent at 5-on-5, which is the sixth highest among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 40 games.- Ranks third among rookie forwards who have skated in 40 games in 5-on-5 shot attempts per 60 minutes (13.90).
Justin Holl
– Has started the seventh-lowest percentage of his 5-on-5 shifts (41.9%) in the offensive zone among right-handed defencemen.- Ranks second in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (52.0%) among NHL defencemen who have started less than 45 percent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone (42.0%).- Tied for the highest unblocked shot attempt percentage at 5-on-5 (52.7%) among NHL defencemen to have started fewer than 45 percent (42.0%) of their shifts in the offensive zone.
Zach Hyman
– Ranks fifth among Maple Leafs skaters in points per game (0.76).- Fourth among Toronto forwards in even-strength time on ice per game (16:08).- Ranks third among Toronto forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game (1:48).
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has drawn 20 penalties this season and taken eight, which gives him the highest net penalties among Toronto skaters (+12) and ranks tied for 13th among NHL forwards.- Fourth among Maple Leafs and tied for 14th among NHL right wingers who have appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.23) at 5-on-5.- Has recorded 21 (9-12-21) of his 36 points on the road this season.
Alex Kerfoot
– Ranks second among Toronto skaters who have appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.26) at 5-on-5.- Eighth among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (8-17-25).- Tied for second among Maple Leafs in primary assists at 5-on-5 (11).
Mitch Marner
– Ranks 10th among NHL skaters in assists (49).- Has 12 multi-assist games, which is tied for the seventh-most among NHL skaters.- Averaging 1.14 points per game, which is the 17th-highest average in the NHL.- Averaging 1.74 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is 13th among NHLers who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Ninth in the NHL with 31 primary assists.- Tied for fifth among NHL forwards in time on ice per game (21:31)
Auston Matthews
– Third among NHL skaters in goals (46).- Leads the NHL with 35 even-strength goals.- Leads the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (30).- Tied for first in the NHL in wrist shot goals (27).- Tied for second in the NHL in multi-goal games (10).- Tied for sixth in the NHL in multi-point games (25).- Ninth among NHL skaters in points (46-33-79).- Fourth in the NHL with 279 shots on goal.
William Nylander
– Leads the Maple Leafs and is tied for fifth among NHLers in game-winning goals (7).- Tied for 12th in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (19).- Tied for seventh among NHL forwards who average 14:00 per game (14:31) in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.6%).- Has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 33 games on the road this season.
Rasmus Sandin
– Ranks ninth among rookie defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games in points per 60 minutes of ice time (1.02) at 5-on-5. – Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.0 percent, which ranks fifth among rookie defencemen who have skated in at least 10 games.
Jason Spezza
– Averaging 2.03 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which is the fourth-highest average among Toronto skaters who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Averaging 0.79 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which ranks fifth among Maple Leafs who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Averaging 1.24 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is tied for the third-highest average among Toronto skaters.
John Tavares
– Tied for 22nd among NHL skaters in multi-point games (17).- Ranks 10th among NHL centres in 5-on-5 ice time per game (15:29).- Ranks 13th in the NHL in faceoff wins (598)- Has recorded 13 points (6-7-13) in 14 games against Pacific Division teams.- Has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 32 games on the road.- Had two goals and an assist against Anaheim on February 7.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
None
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Mitch Marner
Two games from 300 NHL games
Jason Spezza
One assist from 600 assists
RECENT MILESTONES
Zach Hyman
300th NHL game (March 5 at Los Angeles)
Kasperi Kapanen
200th NHL game (March 5 at Los Angeles)
INJURY REPORT
Cody Ceci (Ankle)
On injured reserve.
Andreas Johnsson (Knee)
On injured reserve.
Ilya Mikheyev (Wrist Laceration)
On injured reserve.
Jake Muzzin (Hand)
Sustained a broken hand on February 25 at Tampa Bay.
Toronto’s John Tavares, right, and the Kings’ Trevor Lewis battle for the puck during the first period of Thursday’s game at Staples Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Blake Lizotte #46 of the Los Angeles Kings jumps over the puck in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during…
LOS ANGELES — On a night when the Kings welcomed back some old friends, they continued their season-best winning streak with a 1-0 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday at Staples Center. The Kings have won four straight for the first time this season.
Jonathan Quick held off the Leafs for 65 minutes, making 36 saves in his 52nd career shutout, and former Ducks goalie Freddie Andersen did the same for the Leafs, stopping 30 shots. It was the fourth shootout for the Kings this season but the first time they went into it scoreless. The previous three were all losses.
Center Anze Kopitar and left wing Adrian Kempe scored in the shootout for the Kings, while left wing William Nylander was the lone Leafs scorer. Kopitar also made a number of crucial defensive plays in the game.
“When you have the head of the snake, if you will, it makes it a lot easier for a coaching staff, the coach and players to respond,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said
I thought it was a pretty even hockey game all the way through. I thought our team did a good job in the game, especially as we got through that first period, staying with the process just with the way that they play, clogging the neutral zone and defend really well. I thought as we found our way through that, adjusted in the second and third I thought we did a good job as a team. It’s a game that really could have gone either way. We’re happy to get one point, we could have two in overtime or the shootout, it didn’t go our way in that sense, but not a lot to complain about for us as a group.
On how the team managed frustration when it couldn’t convert scoring chances:
I thought they dealt with it pretty well at times. I think they were 0-for-3 on breakaways so the guys that are missing those type of chances, you can see there’s a little frustration setting in, but in terms of the way the game was going I thought we managed it okay. At times I felt we turned it over a little bit through the neutral zone, but that’s the number one team in the NHL at holding their blueline. They’re going to make it hard on you, you know that going into the game and they did that at times. I thought we stayed with it, Fred in net was outstanding for us. We just couldn’t find a way to get one in. Tonight is a night where we need our power play to be the difference. So if there’s an area we’d like to certainly be better in, that would be it.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN (30 SAVES)
On playing behind tonight’s defensive effort:
It was a great game, a beautiful game. It was great to play behind a team like that. The way we played made it easy for me. It was unfortunate, obviously, we couldn’t get the extra point.
On how he felt after a few days without playing:
I felt pretty dialed in.
On how unusual it is for the team to be shutout:
I mean, he played incredible down there too. So I don’t think that’s odd. He’s one of the best in the League, I think, when he’s on his game. We could have easily scored but he pulled out some nice saves when we had our chances.
KYLE CLIFFORD (5 HITS)
On Jonathan Quick’s performance tonight:
Yeah, he’s a — Quick is a competitor. Obviously, he had a pretty good game and I felt like he stole it for them.
On tonight’s performance:
I thought for the most part we controlled the game, we played pretty well. We had a lot of scoring chances. I’m familiar with them, I know they’re a tight defensive team. It just would have been nice to come out with the win here.
The Maple Leafs went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play tonight.
Pierre Engvall, Frederik Gauthier and Jason Spezza were the lone Toronto skaters to not start a 5-on-5 shift in the offensive zone.
Justin Holl and William Nylander were on the ice for a team-high 24 shot attempts at 5-on-5 tonight. Holl finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 66.7 percent (24 for, 12 against), while Nylander finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 63.2 percent (24 for, 14 against).
Zach Hyman skated in his 300th NHL game.
Kasperi Kapanen skated in his 200th NHL game.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Friday, March 6, 10:00 p.m. at Anaheim Ducks (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 p.m. vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Thursday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. vs. Nashville Predators (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Saturday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. at Boston Bruins (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils (TSN4, FAN 590)
SAN FRANCISCO — Life is good for Andrew Wiggins. He makes a ton of money and has moved from one of the NBA’s worst-run franchises to one of its best, trading frigid Minneapolis for sunny San Francisco thanks to last month’s blockbuster involving the Wolves and the Warriors. Read More
Trying to get a professional athlete to reveal his personal goals for an upcoming season can be as difficult as getting a Fort Knox guard to give you the combination to the vault. Read More
The Rockets’ James Harden, left, is fouled by the Clippers’ Paul George during the second half of Thursday’s game in Houston. The Clippers won 120-105. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) goes up for a shot as Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball…
Golden State Warriors Bowman, Ky Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain Green, Draymond Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Soreness Looney, Kevon Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Soreness Smailagic, Alen Out Injury/Illness – Right Quadriceps; Contusion Thompson, Klay Out Injury/Illness – Left Acl; Rehabilitation Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way Gasol, Marc Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain Ibaka, Serge Probable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Soreness VanVleet, Fred Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Soreness Watson, Paul Out G League – Two-Way
INJURY REPORT 5:30 P.M. THURSDAY
Golden State Warriors Bowman, Ky Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain Game Date Game Time Matchup Team Player Name Current Status Reason Green, Draymond Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Soreness Looney, Kevon Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Soreness Smailagic, Alen Out Injury/Illness – Right Quadriceps; Contusion Thompson, Klay Out Injury/Illness – Left Acl; Rehabilitation Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way Gasol, Marc Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain Ibaka, Serge Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Soreness VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Soreness Watson, Paul Out G League – Two-Way
Stephen Curry will return to the Golden State Warriors lineup Thursday night against the NBA champion Toronto Raptors — a rematch of last season’s final — and he expects to be limited to between 24-28 minutes
He has missed 58 games since suffering a broken bone in his left hand against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 30. The hand required two surgeries.
“It feels like the first day of school all over again, which is exciting,” Curry told reporters in San Francisco at the Warriors shootaround.said. “I feel pretty comfortable and pretty confident with where I’m at physically. I’m excited to get back out there.”
The anticipation ahead of Curry’s return is palpable. After shootaround at the Chase Center.
Meanwhile, the Raptors listed three players as questionable for the game — Marc Gasol (hamstring), Serge Ibaka (knee) and Fred VanVleet (shoulder). Gasol has missed 14 games and Ibaka and VanVleet three each. Ibaka and VanVleet indicated before Tuesday’s win over the Phoenix Suns that they hoped to play Thursday, the third of a five-game Western Conference road trip.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he intends to play Curry in in five- or six-minute bursts while keeping his minute total about 25 on Thursday.
Curry will be trying to end a career-long losing streak at home. When the Warriors lost to the Suns on Oct. 30 after Curry left with a broken hand, it marked the fifth straight loss at home for the Warriors with Curry was in the lineup. The previous worst had been four consecutive losses with the All-Star guard in the lineup.
Curry and the Warriors dropped three consecutive home games at Oracle in the NBA Finals against the Raptors in June, including a 114-110 defeat in Toronto’s title-clinching Game 6 win on June 13. And then the Warriors dropped both of their games at Chase Center with Curry playing in October.
Both teams are coming off victories on Tuesday. The Warriors startled the Nuggets 116-100 at Denver for only their 14th win this season. Toronto won 123-114 at Phoenix.
According to STATS:
Five Raptors (Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell) are averaging at least 15.0 points this season, making Toronto the only team with five players doing so (min. 40 games).
Golden State has won two of its last three games, allowing 100 points or fewer in each of the two wins. In their first 59 games this season, the Warriors only held opponents to 100 points or fewer 10 times.
Pascal Siakam scored 33 points on 12-of-20 (.600) shooting in Toronto’s Tuesday win over Phoenix. Siakam is averaging 25.2 points with a 48.9 FG% versus teams below .500 compared to 21.2 points with a 41.2 FG% versus teams at .500 or above.
Steph Curry will return tonight after missing Golden State’s previous 58 games. Since 2014-15, the Warriors are 297-65 (.820) when Curry plays versus 39-71 (.355) in the games he has missed.
Toronto ranks fourth in the NBA in three-point percentage at 37.2. This is on pace to be Golden State’s first season ranking outside of the top five since 2008-09, the season prior to Steph Curry’s rookie campaign.
Marcus Smart lost his cool Tuesday night at TD Garden and now he’ll pay the price. Smart and the Boston Celtics suffered arguably their most frustrating loss of the season to the Brooklyn Nets, who erased a 21-point deficit on the strength of 51 (!) fourth-quarter points to secure an overtime victory over their Atlantic…
Jason Spezza (24), Tyson Barrie (21), John Tavares (18)
GOALS:
John Tavares (4), Tyson Barrie (4), Jason Spezza (4)
ASSISTS:
John Tavares (12), Tyson Barrie (10), Jason Spezza (9)
POINTS:
John Tavares (16), Tyson Barrie (14), Jason Spezza (13)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Jason Spezza (12), Tyson Barrie (10), Mitch Marner (8)
MAPLE LEAFS – KINGS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
LOS ANGELES
GOALS FOR (Rank):
232 (1st)
164 (30th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
219 (28th)
203 (t-15th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
43/184 [23.4%] (6th)
32/180 [17.8%] (22nd)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
141/184 [76.6%] (26th)
138/181 [76.2%] (28th)
SHOTS (Rank):
2199 (4th)
2186 (6th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
3323 (3rd)
3276 (4th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
52.0% (6th)
53.3% (4th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.8% (3rd)
50.7% (9th)
MAPLE LEAFS – KINGS NOTES
First Matchup between Clubs:
October 25, 1967 vs. LAK (Toronto 4, Los Angeles 2)
All-Time Record:
65-64-21-2 (152 Games)
All-Time Record at Home:
40-26-11-1 (78 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road:
25-38-10-1 (74 Games)
Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road:
November 13, 2018 (Toronto 5, Los Angeles 1)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. KINGS
Jack Campbell
Played for Los Angeles from 2016-20. With LAK: 57 GP, 20-24-5; 2.51 GAA; .918 SV%
Kyle Clifford
Played for Los Angeles from 2010-20. With LAK: 660 GP, 60 G – 69 A – 129 P
Alex Kerfoot
100th career NHL game (Nov. 21, 2018 (COL) at LAK)
Jake Muzzin
Played for Los Angeles from 2010-19. With LAK: 496 GP, 51 G – 162 A – 213 P
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
46 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
49 (Marner)
POINTS
79 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
24 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
40 (Muzzin)
SHOTS
275 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
55.4% (Matthews, Tavares)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
54.5% (Nylander)
BLOCKED SHOTS
110 (Muzzin)
TAKEAWAYS
74 (Matthews)
HITS
109 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:15 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:09 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
2:50 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS SNAPSHOTS
Faceoffs
– The Maple Leafs rank third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.8%) and are second among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (54.0%).
Goals by Strength
– The Maple Leafs hold the NHL lead in goals scored at 5-on-5 (159).
Goals by Period
– Toronto is second in the NHL in goals scored in the second period (86) and are tied for fifth in the NHL in goals scored in the third period (77).
Power Play
– The Maple Leafs have the fewest power play opportunities (184) among NHL teams that have scored at least 40 power play goals (43).
Penalty Kill
– Toronto has been shorthanded 184 times this season, which is the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL.
Scoring First
– Toronto has a .767 win percentage when scoring first, which is tied for the fourth-highest in the NHL.
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Tied for third among NHL goaltenders in wins (28).- Ranks fourth in the NHL in saves (1,372).- Is 8-1-2 with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 16 career games against Los Angeles.- Has a 16-6-0 record on the road in 2019-20, with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage
Tyson Barrie
– Has eight multi-assist games, which is tied for the fourth-most among NHL defencemen.- Tied for third among NHL defencemen in multi-point games (12). – Averages 14.29 shot attempts per game at 5-on-5, which is the fifth-highest average among NHL defencemen who have played in at least 50 games.- Ranks 16th among NHL defencemen in 5-on-5 time on ice per game (18:18).- Ranks 15th among NHL defencemen in slap shots taken (56).
Jack Campbell
– Has a 3-1-1 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average since being acquired by the Maple Leafs.- Acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with Los Angeles on February 5.
Kyle Clifford
– Eighth among NHL left wingers who have appeared in 50 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.2%). – Averages 14.97 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks 18th among left wingers.- Ranks 10.14 hits per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks 30th among NHL skaters.- Acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with Los Angeles on February 5.
Pierre Engvall
– Ninth among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 30 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (51.5%). – Has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 52.6 percent at 5-on-5, which is tied for the seventh highest among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 30 games.- Ranks fourth among rookie forwards in 5-on-5 shot attempts per 60 minutes (13.97).
Justin Holl
– Has started the eighth-lowest percentage of his 5-on-5 shifts (42.0%) in the offensive zone among right-handed defencemen.- Ranks second in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (51.7%) among NHL defencemen who have started less than 45 percent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone (42.0%).- Has the second-highest unblocked shot attempt percentage at 5-on-5 (52.3%) among NHL defencemen to have started fewer than 45 percent (42.0%) of their shifts in the offensive zone.
Zach Hyman
– Ranks fifth among Maple Leafs skaters in points per game (0.77).- Fourth among Toronto forwards in even-strength time on ice per game (16:07).- Ranks third among Toronto forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game (1:47).
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has drawn 20 penalties this season and taken eight, which gives him the highest net penalties among Toronto skaters (+12) and ranks tied for 12th among NHL forwards.- Tied for third among Maple Leafs and tied for 12th among NHL right wingers who have appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.25) at 5-on-5.- Has recorded 21 (9-12-21) of his 36 points on the road this season.
Alex Kerfoot
– Ranks second among Toronto skaters who have appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.27) at 5-on-5.- Eighth among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (8-17-25).- Tied for second among Maple Leafs in primary assists at 5-on-5 (11).
Mitch Marner
– Tied for ninth among NHL skaters in assists (49).- Has 12 multi-assist games, which is tied for the seventh-most among NHL skaters.- Averaging 1.16 points per game, which is tied for the 16th-highest average in the NHL.- Averaging 1.78 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is tied for ninth among NHLers who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Eighth in the NHL in primary assists (31).- Ranks fifth among NHL forwards in time on ice per game (21:29)
Auston Matthews
– Second among NHL skaters in goals (46).- Leads the NHL with 35 even-strength goals.- Leads the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (30).- Tied for first in the NHL in wrist shot goals (27).- Tied for second in the NHL in multi-goal games (10).- Tied for sixth in the NHL in multi-point games (25).- Ninth among NHL skaters in points (46-33-79).- Fourth in the NHL with 275 shots on goal.
William Nylander
– Leads the Maple Leafs and is tied for fifth among NHLers in game-winning goals (7).- Tied for 11th in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (19).- One of 13 NHLers to average at least 14:00 minutes per game at 5-on-5 (14:30) while maintaining a goal per 60-minute rate of at least 1.20 (1.21).- Ranks eighth among NHL forwards who average 14:00 per game (14:30) in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.5%).
Rasmus Sandin
– Ranks eighth among rookie defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games in points per 60 minutes of ice time (1.07) at 5-on-5. – Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.1 percent, which ranks fifth among rookie defencemen who have skated in at least 10 games.
Jason Spezza
– Averaging 2.05 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which is the fourth-highest average among Toronto skaters who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Averaging 0.80 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which ranks fifth among Maple Leafs who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Averaging 1.25 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is tied for the third-highest average among Toronto skaters.
John Tavares
– Tied for 22nd among NHL skaters in multi-point games (17).- Ranks 10th among NHL centres in 5-on-5 ice time per game (15:29).- Tied for 14th in the NHL in faceoff wins (588)- Has recorded 13 points (6-7-13) in 13 games against Pacific Division teams.- Has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 31 games on the road.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Martin Marincin
Has points (1-2-3) in three consecutive games.
Mitch Marner
Has points (1-3-4) in four consecutive games.
Auston Matthews
Has goals (3) in three consecutive games and points (3-3-6) in four consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Zach Hyman
One game from 300 NHL games
Kasperi Kapanen
One game from 200 NHL games
Mitch Marner
Three games from 300 NHL games
Jason Spezza
One assist from 600 assists
RECENT MILESTONES
None
INJURY REPORT
Cody Ceci (Ankle)
On injured reserve.
Andreas Johnsson (Knee)
On injured reserve.
Ilya Mikheyev (Wrist Laceration)
On injured reserve.
Jake Muzzin (Hand)
Sustained a broken hand on February 25 at Tampa Bay.
Morgan Rielly (Foot)
On injured reserve.
Man Games Lost: 187
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
February 26
Recalled defenceman Calle Rosen from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As much as Kyle Clifford, and Jake Muzzin, can bring a winning pedigree to the Maple Leafs, the man coaching their former club sees their potential impact a little differently. Read More
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As much as Kyle Clifford, and Jake Muzzin, can bring a winning pedigree to the Maple Leafs, the man coaching their former club sees their potential impact a little differently.
“I think that sometimes the winner tag is overrated,” Los Angeles Kings coach Todd McLellan said on Wednesday. “I think it’s the ability to fit in — the chemistry tag should be the one that is addressed more than the winner tag.”
The Leafs have been getting that symmetry with Muzzin, who signed a four-year extension with Toronto last week, for more than a year after acquiring Muzzin from the Kings in January 2019. The experience of having Clifford, and goalie Jack Campbell, as an influence on the group will hit one month on Thursday following the trade with the Kings on Feb. 5 that brought both to Toronto.
Clifford and Muzzin hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Kings, though as McLellan indicated, that’s only part of the package.
While Muzzin has taken on the status of a spectator after breaking a knuckle on his right hand last week against Tampa Bay — Muzzin said on Wednesday he would like to be back before the original prognosis of four weeks’ absence is up, but only if it “makes sense” — Clifford continues to take on a greater role, off the ice as much as on.
“He has really been terrific,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said following practice at the Kings’ facility near the Los Angeles International Airport. “His perspective that he has, the experiences he has, also the type of personality he has to be able to talk to anyone on the team.
“He is a competitor and he brings it every day. Those types of things rub off on the rest of your team.”
The Leafs could have used Muzzin’s guidance and presence on the ice on Tuesday night in San Jose, when there was general disorganization in the defensive zone during a 5-2 loss against the Sharks. While Muzzin and the rest of the injured Leafs might not have liked what they witnessed, the defenceman had some perspective a day later.
“It’s tough to be at the top of your game consistently night in and night out,” Muzzin said. “The teams that find a way to do that the most are at the top of the league and get themselves to win a Cup.
“It’s a battle throughout the season to continually bring your emotion and compete level. We’re working to get to that.
“We believe in the group in there. It’s just that getting there is tough.”
The Leafs, who take on the Kings on Thursday night at the Staples Center, won their previous three games and four in five before the Sharks attacked.
Veterans such as Muzzin, Clifford, Jason Spezza and captain John Tavares, whether they have won the Cup, are a positive influence, but with the emphasis in Toronto on a younger core of players, the learning curve will have bumps.
“We don’t want to be responding to anything that is happening,” Keefe said. “We want to be dictating it and we want to be confident when we come to the arena every day.”
So the work continues to try to be, as Muzzin said, as close to consistent every night as possible.
“We don’t want to say ‘Hey, we put together three pretty good games last week and that was just a one-off,’” Keefe said of the San Jose loss. “There have been other times where we have looked like that.
“One of the bigger issues is that when we have looked bad, we have been really bad. We’re not going to have great nights every night and we’re not going to win every night. But we’re capable of putting together a level of competitiveness and work ethic and structure every day to make sure it doesn’t go south to that degree.”
The Leafs will be better once Muzzin returns. Clifford is making in-roads.
We come back to something else McLellan said, which applies to the NHL as a whole.
“Sometimes coaches, media, fans, we live in this fantasy world that we’re just going to run over teams and take advantage no matter how we are built,” McLellan said. “The parity in the league is immense and they’re human beings. They’re going to have off-nights.”
The view from left field 