GAMEDAY: With out Matthews, Maple Leafs brace for Connor McDavid

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Edmonton Oilers (9-7-1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (10-6-2)

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When: Saturday, 7 p.m., Scotiabank Area

TV: Sportsnet, CBC Radio: TSN 1050

Odds: Oilers +125, Maple Leafs -150

The excitement

The Oilers have gained three in a row — together with their previous two in extra time — and 5 of their previous seven as they start a three-game journey … Of Connor McDavid’s 1,001 factors within the Nationwide Hockey League, 35 have come towards the Leafs in 23 video games. The Richmond Hill native has 11 objectives and 24 assists versus the Leafs … After going the primary 10 video games and not using a aim, ex-Leafs winger Zach Hyman had three in 4 video games. He has not scored, although, in his previous three video games. This after Hyman scored 54 objectives in 2023-24 … Mitch Marner wants one aim for 200 in his NHL profession … Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz is one victory shy of fifty within the NHL … For all of the discuss of the Leafs’ struggling energy play — it’s doing higher now — the Oilers haven’t lit it up whereas on a person benefit. Regardless of having McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and others, Edmonton was twenty fourth within the NHL on the ability play at 15.9%. The Leafs are 9-for-21 of their previous six video games, which introduced them to 14th at 20.3%, so maybe they’ll be licking their chops towards an Oilers penalty kill that’s final within the NHL at 62.8% … Within the absence of captain Auston Matthews, Marner has moved forward of him on the Leafs franchise factors record. Marner is sixth in group historical past with 661 factors in 594 video games, whereas Matthews is seventh with 660 factors in 575 video games.

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The quote

“You by no means know what you’re going to get with him. You need to respect his expertise and his talents, his creativity. I acquired to play there for a couple of months (in Edmonton in 2018-19), so I acquired to see it firsthand, day in and time out.”

— Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz on dealing with Oilers star Connor McDavid

The ballot

Of the Maple Leafs forwards who’ve gone on to play for different groups (comparatively not too long ago), who would you most wish to see play for Toronto once more?

1. Zach Hyman

2. Nazem Kadri

3. Mason Marchment

4. Trevor Moore

The projected Leafs lineup

Forwards

Bobby McMann-John Tavares-Mitch Marner

Matthew Knies-Max Domi-William Nylander

Alex Steeves-David Kampf-Pontus Holmberg

Connor Dewar-Steven Lorentz-Ryan Reaves

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Defence

Morgan Rielly-Jani Hakanpaa

Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev

Oliver Ekman-Larsson—Conor Timmins

Aim

Anthony Stolarz

Joseph Woll

The accidents

EDM: F Evander Kane (stomach), F Victor Arvidsson (undisclosed); TOR: C Auston Matthews (higher physique), F Max Pacioretty (decrease physique), F Calle Jarnkrok (decrease physique), D Dakota Mermis (jaw).

The prediction

Taking part in once more with out Matthews, the Leafs handle to stave off the Oilers. 4-2 Toronto.

The vibe:

(To be inserted by posting editor)

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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