Untitled Document

Toronto Maple Leafs Vs. Montreal Canadiens

Toronto Maple Leafs		Montreal Canadiens
3rd Overall Canadian Conference	104 Points	6th Overall Canadian Conference	90 Points
Losing record of 1-2-1 vs Canadiens during season		Winning record of 2-1-1 vs Maple Leafs during season

Top Point Getters in Regualar Season	Top Point Getters in Regular Season
Rick Nash - 51 G - 53 A - 104 - +24	Nathan Horton - 28 G - 42 A - 70 - +8
Mike Richards - 37 G - 66 A - 103 P - +25	Andrew Brunette - 22 G - 41 A - 63 P - +10
Teemu Selanne - 33 G - 39 A - 72 P - +14	Sami Salo - 14 G - 42 A - 58 P - +20

Series Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are proof that sometimes, you only need a couple of outstanding performers in order to have an outstanding season. The terrific Rick Nash-Mike Richards duo had 100 point seasons and were driving forces in the Leafs 3rd place finish. But there are plenty of other weapons in the forward ranks, from Selanne, to Havlat, to Duchene, to Kulemin, to Cullen. These guys can score with the best of them, they were the best offence in the league this season. The question marks begin when you look at a defence. It’s not a bad unit, but it does not have a true top pairing guy. Tyutin, Gill, Eaton and Scuderi are all strong defensive zone presences. Denis Grebeshkov is the point producer, along with Tyutin. Another question mark is in goal, where Dwayne Roloson struggled throughout most of the season. They will need him to be much better to end a drought that has gone on since 1967.

3 KEY FACTORS:

Can the Maple Leafs win a low scoring game? The Canadiens, especially with Koivu out, will have to play stingy defensive hockey to win…
We talked about it, but Roloson will be a key factor, especially with Halak going up against him.
Handling the pressure. On paper, this series should be a win for Toronto. But it’s a rivalry series and all eyes will be on it. Crazy things can happen.

After a couple of seasons out of the playoffs, hockey’s most storied franchise is back in the dance this spring. They enter with one of their better players in Saku Koivu likely missing most of the series with an injury. The Canadiens aren’t outstanding at any one thing, but they are average to solid in most areas. Nathan Horton and Andrew Brunette had solid seasons up front. Andrei Markov and Sami Salo had strong offensive seasons from the backend, as well as the surprising Nick Schultz. The team has a lot of players who can contribute more than they did in the regular season – Morrow, Blake, Stafford and if they can elevate in the playoffs, it would be an interesting development. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak had a strong season and will be a major key to any playoff success.

3 KEY FACTORS:

The Leafs center line is loaded with Richards, Duchene and Cullen. The loss of Koivu hurts. Horton and Comrie will have to play like gods.
Against Toronto’s league best offence, the defence and Halak will have to come up absolutely huge.
Discipline. Toronto has an elite PP. The Canadiens were one of the least penalized teams in the league. Needless to say, that must continue.

Prediction: Not having Koivu for the start of the series will be too much to overcome in what will be an emotional series. Maple Leafs in 5.