GAME DAY PREVIEWS
Updated: Thursday March 30, 2000 7:59PM EST
Thursday March 30, 2000 Toronto at Chicago 8:30pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs look to move closer to the Northeast Division title tonight when they continue a road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks. Toronto benefitted from a defensive mistake by the usually reliable Chris Pronger in its crucial 3-2 victory at St. Louis on Wednesday. He redirected a pass right to Steve Thomas, who tapped in the puck for the go-ahead tally in the third period.
The triumph enabled the Maple Leafs to pull five points ahead of Ottawa in the Northeast Division with six games left. Toronto needs six points to take the division title away from the Senators, who captured it last season.
The Leafs have won six of the last seven games on the road where they are a respectable 18-16-2 on the season.
The power play has been one of the reasons why Toronto ranks among the elite teams. It has registered at least one goal with the man advantage in nine of the last 10 games, going 11-for-40.
Chicago is coming off Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Chicago and is winless in three after a six-game unbeaten streak. Steve Sullivan tied the game early in the third period, but the Blackhawks allowed a late tally and an empty netter in the waning moments.
Chicago's offense has been anemic recently, managing just one goal during the recent skid. In each of the three games, the Blackhawks have been held to under 20 shots, including 11 in a 1-1 tie with St. Louis on Sunday.
The teams have split two games this season with the road team winning each one. Toronto skated to a 2-1 victory in Chicago on October 15.
Wednesday March 29, 2000 Toronto at St. Louis 8pm
The red-hot St. Louis Blues look to set a franchise record for points in a season tonight when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. With 106 points, the Blues are one shy of the team mark set in the 1980-81 season and have a three-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings in the race for the President's Trophy.
St. Louis allowed only 11 shots on Sundaay, but could only manage a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blues' record for fewest shots given up in a game is 11 against Toronto on March 4, 1999. The Blues have lost just once in the last 13 contests (8-1-4) and have gone 3-0-2 in their last five home games. St. Louis has two games in hand on Detroit.
St. Louis received some bad news Monday regarding left wing Pavol Demitra, who suffered a Grade I concussion in Friday's 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay. He was hospitalized after being was checked into the boards by Brian Holzinger late in the first period.
Demitra's injury breaks up one of the hottest lines in the league. The Slovakian trio of Michal Handzus, Lubos Bartecko and Demitra had collected 28 goals and 44 assists in 25 games prior to Sunday's tie.
Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 comeback victory over New Jersey on Saturday. Sergei Berezin scored twice for the Maple Leafs, who scored four times in the second period to erase a two-goal deficit.
Toronto has seen its once-comfortable lead in the Northeast Division reduced to just points over Ottawa and controls the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
They Leafs have registered 10 power-play goals in the last 37 chances.
Saturday March 25, 2000 New Jersey at Toronto 7pm
The New Jersey Devils hope to win again under new coach Larry Robinson tonight when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs, losers of three straight. Robinson won his Devils debut on Friday with an 8-2 rout of the New York Islanders. Robinson took over for Robbie Ftorek, who was fired on Thursday after less than two seasons on the job.
Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora each scored twice and Bobby Holik added his 200th career goal for the Devils. Elias, who leads the team with 33 goals, also had two assists, giving him seven points in the last three games.
Sykora chipped in with two assists and has six points in his last three contests. Randy McKay chipped in with a goal and an assist as New Jersey posted its second lopsided win in two weeks. The Devils crushed expansion Atlanta, 9-0, on March 10.
New Jersey holds a four-point lead on Philadelphia atop the Atlantic Division and is five points in front of Washington for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Toronto leads Ottawa by three points for first in the Northeast Division but trails the Devils by seven.
The Maple Leafs suffered their third straight loss Thursday with a 3-2 setback to the Senators. Yanic Perreault and rookie Nik Antropov tallied for Toronto, which has been outscored 12-5 during its losing streak.
The Leafs have dropped three straight at home and have never lost four in a row at the Air Canada Centre. They dropped their first four home games at Maple Leafs Gardens to open the 1997-98 season. They lost four straight overall from February 3-14.
Toronto is undefeated against New Jersey this season (2-0-1), including a 3-1 victory on February 25. Igor Korolev and Garry Valk scored 17 seconds apart and Perreault also tallied for the Leafs.
Thursday March 23, 2000 Toronto at Ottawa 7pm
A pair of struggling teams jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings meet tonight as the Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams will be trying to avoid their third loss in four games tonight. Ottawa snapped a two-game losing streak with Tuesday's 7-1 rout of Atlanta while Toronto suffered its second straight loss Wednesday with a 5-2 setback to the New York Islanders.
The Leafs lead the Northeast Division by five points over the Senators and are tied with Washington for second in the East with 90 points. Ottawa is sixth in the conference and can move into the fifth spot with a win and a Florida loss at Boston tonight.
The Senators broke out of an offensive funk on Tuesday, scoring one less goal than their four previous games combined. They set a franchise record for most goals in a period with six in the first and established another team mark by scoring three within 80 seconds.
One of the few bright spots for Toronto lately has been its power play unit. The Leafs scored twice with the man-advantage on Wednesday and have at least one in each of their last seven games. They are 9-for-31 during the stretch.
Ottawa is 2-1-1 agaisnt Toronto this season and holds a 5-3-1 advantage in the all-time series at home.
Wednesday March 22, 2000 NY Islanders at Toronto 7:30pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs go for their third straight win against the struggling New York Islanders and make a push for the best record in the Eastern Conference tonight when the teams battle at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto has allowed only one goal in each of its two victories over the Islanders this season. Jonas Hoglund has scored three goals in the two contests for the Maple Leafs, who have lost only once in the last six against New York (5-1).
However, Toronto is coming off Saturday's embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to the Atlanta Thrashers, the league's worst team. It was only the second loss in the last eight games for the Leafs, who are five points behind New Jersey for first overall in the East. Toronto owns a five-point advantage over Ottawa for the Northeast Division lead.
Steve Thomas had a four-game points streak end Saturday, but is still averaging a point per game in the last eight games with five goals and three assists.
The Islanders suffered an 8-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday, giving up six goals in the second period, which resulted in goaltender Kevin Weekes getting pulled.
The Islanders allowed 30 or more shots for the sixth straight game. They have lost four of their last five games and are two points ahead of Tampa Bay for the third-worst record in the East.
New York has allowed 10 power-play goals in the last 31 chances.
Saturday March 18, 2000 Atlanta at Toronto 7pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their push for the Eastern Conference's best record tonight when they host the expansion Atlanta Thrashers. Toronto rallied for a stunning 4-3 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Sergei Berezin tied the game with 8.2 seconds remaining before Mats Sundin capped the comeback with his fourth overtime goal of the season.
The Maple Leafs have won six of their last seven games to climb within three points of New Jersey for the Eastern Conference lead. They have a seven-point advantage over Ottawa in the Northeast Division.
Toronto's power play has been lethal in the last five games, tallying five times in the last 19 chances.
Goaltender Curtis Joseph may get the night off against Atlanta due to the success backup Glen Healy has had in two meetings with the Thrashers. Healy recorded two shutouts, facing a combined total of 30 shots in two victories.
Things can not get any worse for Atlanta, which lost its 10th straight in a 4-2 defeat against the New York Islanders on Thursday. The Thrashers fired 39 shots on goal, topping the 30-mark for the first time in 10 games.
The Thrashers have managed just one victory in the last 13 on the road (1-11-1) and are a woeful 4-27-4 overall away from Philips Arena.
Thursday March 16, 2000 Toronto at Detroit 7:30pm
The Detroit Red Wings look to extend their unbeaten streak to nine games Thursday night (7:30 ET, ESPN2) when they host their Original Six rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, a matchup of teams battling for first place in their respective divisions. The Red Wings are 6-0-2 during their recent run, including a 3-2 overtime victory against Nashville here on Tuesday. Brendan Shanahan scored his second goal of the game with 50 seconds left in overtime, clinching Detroit's 10th consecutive playoff spot.
Detroit is four points behind first-place St. Louis in the Central Divison and is fourth overall in the Western Conference.
The Maple Leafs had a five-game winning streak snapped in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Chicago. Kevyn Adams and Steve Thomas tallied for Toronto, which may be happy to return to the road where it has won four in a row and six of its last seven games.
Toronto is five points ahead of second-place Ottawa in the Northeast Division and sits five points behind New Jersey for the top overall spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Maple Leafs are 0-1-1 in two meetings against the Red Wings this season.
Sergei Fedorov and Kirk Maltby scored to lift Detroit to a 4-2 victory here on January 26. The Red Wings ended a four-game drought against the Maple Leafs, defeating them for the first time since March 18, 1998.
Wednesday March 15, 2000 Chicago at Toronto 7:30pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to regroup without one of their key defenseman tonight when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defenseman Bryan Berard was struck in the eye by Ottawa right wing Marian Hossa late in the second period of the Maple Leafs' 4-2 victory on Saturday. He underwent emergency surgery late Saturday in Ottawa before being air-lifted to Toronto on Monday.
Berard will undergo further surgery before doctors can officially determine whether or not the 23-year-old will ever regain vision in the right eye.
The Leafs have won five straight and nine of the last 10 including the victory in Ottawa.
Toronto is five points behind New Jersey in the Eastern Conference and looks to take control of the Northeast Division, holding a seven-point advantage over Ottawa for first place.
In the only meeting between the clubs this season, the Leafs posted a 2-1 victory in Chicago on December 15. The Blackhawks have not won here against the Leafs since a 5-2 decision on April 11, 1996.
Chicago ended its four-game road trip with two victories against the Florida teams -- Florida and Tampa Bay -- on back-to-back nights.
After spending most of the season in the Western Conference basement, the Blackhawks are tied with Nashville with the worst record.
Saturday March 11, 2000 Toronto at Ottawa 7pm
The Ottawa Senators aim to cut into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lead in the Northeast Division tonight when the teams meet at Corel Centre. Ottawa enters tonight's contest five points behind Toronto in the Northeast thanks to a season-high seven game unbeaten streak. It holds a slim one-point lead over Florida for fifth-place in the Eastern Conference.
The Senators extended their streak on Thursday with a 7-0 rout of Pittsburgh. It matched the most lopsided victory in team history, a 9-2 triumph over the New York Islanders on January 30, 1999.
Shawn McEachern has been on a tear since signing a three-year contract extension, producing consecutive multi-goal games. Marian Hossa is also hot, scoring five goals in as many contests.
Ottawa has won five straight home games over Toronto and is unbeaten in its last six against the Maple Leafs at the Corel Centre. The Senators are 2-0-1 against Toronto this season.
Toronto extended its winning streak to four games with a 6-2 rout of Calgary on Thursday. The Maple Leafs scored four goals in a 10:50 span of the second period and Glenn Healy made them stand up with 30 saves for the victory.
Toronto is second in the East with 86 points, four ahead of third-place Washington and five behind New Jersey for the top spot.
Mats Sundin, who had a goal and an assist on Thursday, has five points in as many games while leading the team with 29 tallies and 33 helpers this season.
Thursday March 9, 2000 Toronto at Calgary 9pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue a push for the best record in the Eastern Conference Thursday night against the Calgary Flames. Toronto won its third straight and second in a row on a four-game road trip with a 2-0 blanking of Edmonton on Tuesday. Curtis Joseph returned after a night off and recorded 33 saves against his former team for his fourth shutout of the season.
The Maple Leafs have pulled within five points of New Jersey for the best record in the East while opening a five-point lead over Ottawa in the Northeast Division.
The NHL trade deadline is March 14, but it appears the Maple Leafs made the perfect move for their team when they acquired Darcy Tucker from Tampa Bay. Tucker has tallied 12 points in as many games since joining the Leafs, including five goals and five assists in his last eight contests.
The Flames blanked Toronto, 4-0, on January 1 for their first victory over the Leafs in Calgary in three years.
The Flames are three points behind San Jose in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference race. However, Calgary is only four points in back of Colorado and Edmonton in the Northwest Division.
Calgary is coming off Tuesday's disastrous 8-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, who played with Ray Bourque in the lineup for the first time. The Flames allowed seven goals in the first two periods and have given up 24 in four games against the Avalanche this season.
Jarome Iginla failed to break Calgary's team record 16-game points streak as he was held off the scoresheet for the first time since January 28. The Flames tried to give their young players some veteran help when they acquired defensive-minded forward Marc Bureau from Philadelphia on Monday. The next step for Calgary could be acquiring a defensman as it currently has six sidelined with injuries.
Tuesday March 7, 2000 Toronto at Edmonton 9pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs seek their seventh win in eight contests tonight and continue a push for the best record in the Eastern Conference when they play the Edmonton Oilers at the Skyreach Center. Toronto had a commanding 5-1 lead early in the third period before the Vancouver Canucks erupted four times to send the game into overtime. But captain Mats Sundin came to the rescue with his third game-winning overtime tally with 1:47 remaining as the Maple Leafs posted a 6-5 victory on Monday.
Toronto jumped back into second overall in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Southeast Division co-leaders Florida and Washington. It is just seven points behind struggling New Jersey for the top seed in the East.
Darcy Tucker scored two shorthanded goals Monday. Since being acquired from Tampa Bay 11 games ago, Tucker has five goals and six assists.
Also enjoying fine play of late for Toronto has been Igor Korolev. He set up both tallies by Tucker and scored a goal of his own in Monday's victory and has three goals and five assists in the last six outings.
After getting the night off for the second time in four games, Curtis Joseph should return to action in tonight's contest. He is 4-1-1 in his last six starts and fourth with 29 wins overall.
Although one game under .500, the Oilers find themselves two points ahead of Ray Bourque's new team, Colorado, for first place in the Northwest Division. They have split the last four games, including a disappointing 3-1 decision against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Edmonton's Bill Guerin is riding a five-game points streak, collecting three goals and four assists.
Monday March 6, 2000 Toronto at Vancouver 10pm
For the second time in just over a week, the Vancouver Canucks aim to run their unbeaten streak to a season-best five games tonight when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vancouver had its last four-game unbeaten streak halted on February 25 with a setback to Los Angeles. It is 3-0-1 over its last four games and is looking to notch its longest run since a six-game streak from February 6-March 2, 1998.
The Canucks improved to 6-1-2 in their last nine with Saturday's 4-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils. Brad May scored twice and Alexander Mogilny had a goal and two assists as Vancouver improved to 8-3-2 since the All-Star break.
Vancouver has won three straight at home and is 13-18-4 at GM Place this season. It has not won four straight here since February 6-28, 1998 and trails Calgary and San Jose by five points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Toronto won for the fifth time in six games with Saturday's 4-3 victory over Montreal. Rookie Nik Antropov and Steve Thomas scored 44 seconds apart midway through the second period and Jonas Hoglund added a goal and an assist.
Igor Korolev also tallied and has two goals and three assists during a five-game points streak for the Leafs, who hold a three-point lead over Ottawa atop the Northeast Division.
These teams have split two meetings this season with Vancouver taking a 4-1 decision on February 12. Todd Bertuzzi scored twice for the second straight game against the Leafs and Andrew Cassels picked up a goal and an assist.
Mats Sundin has a goal and four assists for Toronto in the two contests against Vancouver.
Saturday March 4, 2000 Montreal at Toronto 7pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs look for their fourth straight home win over the Montreal Canadiens tonight when they battle for the fifth time this season. Toronto won the first three meetings between these teams this season before Montreal notched a 2-1 victory on February 19. Jeff Hackett made 25 saves and Oleg Petrov and Sergei Zholtok scored for the Habs in the second period.
The Maple Leafs have won three in a row at home against the Canadiens, last losing on December 26, 1998.
Toronto had its four-game winning streak halted Wednesday with a 3-1 loss in Florida. Alyn McCauley scored and goaltender Curtis Joseph saw his personal three-game winning streak stopped.
The Leafs are unbeaten in their last three home games (2-0-1) and lead the Ottawa Senators by three points atop the Northeast Division.
Montreal won its second straight and ninth in 11 games Thursday with a 5-2 triumph in Boston. Shayne Corson scored twice and Saku Koivu added two assists as the Canadiens rallied for the final five goals and moved to 2-1 on their four-game trip.
Montreal has outscored its opponents 9-3 over the last two games and trails Pittsburgh by two points for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Wednesday March 1, 2000 Toronto at Florida 7:30pm
The second position in the Eastern Conference is up for grabs Wednesday night as the Florida Panthers host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a battle of division leaders. A single point separates the teams. Toronto, the Northeast Division leader, leapfrogged Florida, the frontrunner in the Southeast, into the second spot by virtue of a 4-0 victory at Atlanta on Tuesday. The Panthers, who have 77 points, can regain it with a victory.
Florida limps into the game losers of two straight and five of the last six. Its lead in the Southeast, once in double digits, has shrunk to two points over the Washington Capitals, who play at Tampa Bay tonight.
The Panthers have scored 12 goals during the skid, with only two coming from NHL leader Pavel Bure. The offensive struggles also carried to the power play, on which they have converted only once in 27 chances. That included an 0-for-8 performance in a 5-2 loss to Buffalo on Monday.
Florida captain Scott Mellanby is scheduled to play in his 1,000th game tonight. An original Panther, Mellanby began his career in 1986 with the Philadelphia Flyers and made a stop in Edmonton during his 15-year career.
Toronto has started to right the ship again, putting together four straight victories after a season-high six-game winless streak. The Maple Leafs are coming off a 4-0 victory at Atlanta on Tuesday.
Darcy Tucker is proving to be an excellent addition to the club after being acquired from Tampa Bay for Mike Johnson earlier this month. He has recorded points in all four wins, including a two-point performance against Atlanta. He has eight points in as many games in a Toronto uniform.
The Leafs have won both games against the Panthers this season. They posted a 3-2 home victory on October 13 before a 6-4 triumph down south on December 20. Their win in Florida was only Toronto's second victory in seven trips to the state (2-5).