Tuesday Night Showdown: Leafs Face Flames in First Meeting of the Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames square off for the first time this season in what promises to be a tightly contested matchup. Last season, the Leafs swept their two-game series against the Flames, winning both games by just a one-goal margin. Expect another close battle tonight as both teams look to build momentum.

Both Toronto and Calgary enter the game following recent wins, hoping to turn the page on inconsistent stretches of play. The Leafs are 4-6-0 in their last 10 games, while the Flames sit at 5-5-0 over the same span. With Toronto struggling at home lately, they’ll look to build a winning streak on the road, starting with their Alberta road trip.

Key Lineup Updates

Mitch Marner and Oliver Ekman-Larsson were absent from practice on Monday, raising concerns about their availability. However, head coach Craig Berube downplayed the situation, saying:
“No, not necessarily … We’ll see how they (Mitch & Ekman-Larsson) are tomorrow.”

At this time, both players are questionable, but they remain game-time decisions. If either of them sits out, expect Ryan Reaves and/or Philippe Myers to draw into the lineup.

In net Joseph Woll will start as Anthony Stolarz still is not ready from injury as per Craig Berube this afternoon.

Projected Lineups

Toronto Maple Leafs

Forwards:
Knies – Matthews – Marner (Questionable)
Pacioretty – Tavares – Nylander
McMann – Domi – Robertson
Holmberg – Kampf – Lorentz

Defense:
McCabe – Tanev
Rielly – Ekman-Larsson (Practiced today should be good)
Benoit – Timmins

Goalies:
Woll (Starting)
Murray (Backup)

Calgary Flames

Forwards:
Huberdeau – Kadri – Farabee
Coleman – Backlund – Coronato
Sharangovich – Frost – Pospisil
Lomberg – Rooney – Klapka

Defense:
Hanley – Andersson
Weegar – Bean
Barrie – Pachal

Goalies:
Wolf (Starting)
Vladar (Backup)

Betting Predictions (Brought to You by Bodog)

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💰 Anytime Goalscorer – Auston Matthews (-106)

Matthews has 10 goals in 22 career games against Calgary. With Marner questionable, expect Matthews to take even more offensive responsibility tonight.

💰 Anytime Goalscorer – Nazem Kadri (+215)

Kadri, a former Leaf, has a history of performing against his old team. With 18 goals already this season and top power-play minutes, +215 is great value for a player who loves big moments.

💰 Money Line Win – Toronto Maple Leafs (-135)

Toronto has won 10 of their last 13 meetings with Calgary, and given their need to keep pace in the tight Atlantic Division race, they should come out strong tonight.

Closing Thoughts

The Atlantic Division playoff race is heating up, with Ottawa now just two points behind Toronto for second place. The Bruins, Red Wings, and Lightning are also right on their heels, making every game crucial.

The Leafs need to stack wins before the upcoming 4 Nations Cup break to build some cushion in the standings. Can they get the job done against Calgary?

Go Leafs Go!