Yahoo Sports Pregame Notes (43): Stars Aim To Snap Seven-Game Losing Streak versus Maple Leafs
The Dallas Stars look to start a new winning streak when traveling for the last stop of their five-game road trip to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. The Stars are coming off their first loss in eight games when they were edged out 3-2 by the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.
The Buds are also looking to rebound after a loss as they've dropped two straight including a 3-0 shutout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Toronto has hit new heights this season under first-year bench boss Craig Berube with the Leafs finally securing their backend with a 2.82 goals against average that is a far improvement from their 3.18 average last season.
Toronto has a 9-5-0 record and a 3.43 goals per game average since mid-December with their defence at points being one of the best units in the league. However, lately they've started to fall apart as of late with a 3.40 average in their last ten home games. This could be an issue as the Stars have been firing on all cylinders during their road trip with a 3-1-0 record and 12 goals scored.
Their defence has allowed just four goals in their last three games but it will be tested as the Leafs star players can make any backend look silly. Toronto has dominated this matchup with wins in seven straight and a 9-2-0 record in their last 11 matchups at Scotiabank Arena.
What to Watch For:
We can expect a high-scoring game as these two teams have combined for eight or more goals in their last two matchups as well as Toronto totalling seven or more goals in five of their last eight home games. Goaltender Joseph Woll is expected to start for Toronto after allowing a combined 15 goals in his last four home starts.
Leafs forward and Toronto native Mitch Marner loves returning home as he is tied for third in the NHL for points at home with Edmonton's Connor McDavid at 35 including seven goals and 28 assists in just 25 games. Marner excels when playing against Dallas with four goals and 16 assists for 20 points in 15 career games versus the Stars.
Toronto is below average on the power play, operating at just 20.8 per cent this season. They may struggle to get past a Stars team that has the best penalty kill in the NHL, killing off 85 per cent of power play opportunities. Dallas has just a pair of shorthanded goals this season and may see them look to be aggressive against a Leafs team that is near top of the league with four goals allowed while on the man advantage.
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It should make for a thrilling matchup that will be closer than people expect. If you want to check out the game at 6:00 CT on ESPN+ or Victory+ and you can also listen along on Sportsradio 96.7 and 1310 The Ticket. If you are in the Toronto area, tickets for Stars versus the Sens are at a premium with the lowest pair being sold for roughly $76CAD.
