Columbus Blue Jackets (20–13–1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (21–13–1)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017, 7:30 p.m. (NATIONWIDE ARENA)
The Blue Jackets are a little fragile right now.
The Maple Leafs, after their offensive outburst on Tuesday, are feeling pretty good.
Just another "must win" December game, doesn't it feel like?
This is a big game for the Blue Jackets, who have lost three of four and are getting exposed defensively. They've lacked some focus in recent games and have not been as sharp as they were earlier in the season, and that's got to change if they're going to slow down the Maple Leafs tonight at Nationwide Arena in the first of three meetings.
You Oughta Know: Mitch Marner
The shifty, super-skilled Marner had gone 15 games without a goal until Tuesday afternoon's game at Air Canada Centre. Marner had a goal and three assists and looked like the dynamic talent he's known to be, which is what the Leafs need with their top player out of the lineup.
Fast Facts
- The Blue Jackets have allowed seven goals in two of their last three losses. If it makes you feel any better, the Maple Leafs scored eight goals in their win over the Hurricanes yesterday.
- Former Blue Jackets goaltender Curtis McElhinney will get the start in goal for Toronto, Leafs coach Mike Babcock said yesterday.
- Auston Matthews made the trip with the Leafs but his status for tonight's game is unknown.
Previous Matchups
THIS YEAR: First meeting
LAST YEAR: Blue Jackets won, 2-1-0
Keys to the Game
ONE: For goodness' sake, a better start. The Blue Jackets were dominated in the first two periods by the Bruins on Monday and then fell apart in the third period.
TWO: Special teams battle. Since the Blue Jackets' power play is doing them no favors, they can't give the talented Leafs any free opportunities.
THREE: Take advantage. The Leafs played yesterday and the Blue Jackets had Tuesday off to recharge. No excuses tonight.
Leafs Projected Lineup
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Leo Komarov | 35 GP, 4-4-8 | 43 | Nazem Kadri | 35 GP, 13-10-23 | 28 | Connor Brown | 35 GP, 9-5-14 |
| 25 | James van Riemsdyk | 34 GP, 16-9-25 | 42 | Tyler Bozak | 34 GP, 7-11-18 | 16 | Mitch Marner | 35 GP, 3-21-24 |
| 12 | Patrick Marleau | 35 GP, 12-7-19 | 29 | William Nylander | 35 GP, 6-16-22 | 11 | Zach Hyman | 35 GP, 6-12-18 |
| 15 | Matt Martin | 33 GP, 2-7-9 | 20 | Dominic Moore | 26 GP, 4-5-9 | 24 | Kasperi Kapanen | 5 GP, 2-0-2 |
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Morgan Rielly | 35 GP, 4-18-22 | 2 | Ron Hainsey | 35 GP, 2-13-15 |
| 51 | Jake Gardiner | 35 GP, 2-13-15 | 8 | Connor Carrick | 18 GP, 2-2-4 |
| 55 | Andreas Borgman | 33 GP, 2-6-8 | 46 | Roman Polak | 16 GP, 1-2-3 |
| # | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Frederik Andersen | 29 | 18-10-1 | 2.61 | .923 | 3 |
| 30 | Curtis McElhinney | 6 | 3-3-0 | 2.55 | .921 | 1 |
