Last time out against the Hawks back in Toronto, the Maple Leafs held their own at even strength but battled the officials all night and were undone on the penalty kill by the deadly combination of Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin.
A lot has changed in the Leaf lineup since then (mostly for the worse), but the hope will be the Leafs can keep this one competitive. The Hawks are a mediocre 4-5-1 in their last ten, and will be without winger Marian Hossa, who was placed on injury reserve yesterday.
Paul Hendrick‘s projected lines have Brendan Leipsic sitting dependent on Nazem Kadri’s status.