Date: December 7th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburg, PA
The Toronto Maple Leafs (16-8-2) head to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins (11-15-2) in a matchup of two teams with very different trajectories this season. Toronto is coming off a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals two nights ago and will look to rebound as they push to solidify their 1st place position in the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, the Penguins are seeking consistency and trying to climb out of the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. They will be on a back to back after they fell to the New York Rangers last night 4-2.
Toronto’s Defensive Structure
The Maple Leafs have seen marked improvement on defense this season, allowing 2.54 goals per game, down from their 2023-24 average of 3.18. Morgan Rielly continues to lead the blue line, logging over 24 minutes per game while contributing 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists). Chris Tanev has also stepped up, providing reliable play in key situations all over the ice, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson has brought an offensive spark from the back end with 9 points. Toronto’s penalty kill has been among the NHL’s best, operating at 83.5% 3rd best in the NHL, and has been a crucial component of their success. Goaltenders Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have split duties effectively. Stolarz has a 8-5-2 record with a .924 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average, while Woll has provided solid backup with a .922 save percentage and a 2.11 goals against average. Toronto’s ability to combine strong defensive play with their offensive firepower has made them a balanced team capable of winning in various ways this season thanks to new head coach Craig Berube.
Pittsburgh’s Struggles on Both Ends
The Penguins’ season has been defined by inconsistency and defensive breakdowns. Pittsburgh currently sits last in the NHL in goals against per game (3.79) and has seen their penalty kill stumble to a 80.2% success rate, ranking 14th in the league. Goaltending has been a major issue for the Penguins, with Tristan Jarry struggling to find form, posting a 3.88 GAA and a .884 save percentage. Backup Alex Nedeljkovic has been slightly better statistically, but neither has provided the stability Pittsburgh desperately needs. Offensively, depth scoring has been a significant issue. While Sidney Crosby leads the way with 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) and Evgeni Malkin has chipped in 24 points, the Penguins have received limited production from their bottom six forwards. Brandon Rust and Christ Letang has been inconsistent this season, the lack of secondary scoring has placed an outsized burden on the top line in which they cannot overcome.
Star Power: Crosby vs. Nylander
This matchup tonight also features two of the NHL’s top stars in Sidney Crosby and William Nylander. At age 37, Crosby remains the heart and soul of the Penguins, leading his team in points and consistently driving play. His 52.6% faceoff win rate and ability to generate scoring chances in clutch moments are as strong as ever. Despite Pittsburgh’s struggles, Crosby has shown he can still take over games when needed.
On the other side, William Nylander is enjoying another great season for the Maple Leafs. With 27 points (16 goals, 11 assists) in 25 games, he’s on just slightly off pace to land near his personal best of 98 points from last year. Nylander’s speed and creativity have made him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and his consistency has been a key factor in Toronto’s strong start. He also leads the Leafs with 5 game winning goals, showcasing his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
What to Watch
Maple Leafs Penalty Kill vs. Penguins Power Play: Pittsburgh’s power play is converting at just 21.5%, and facing Toronto’s elite penalty kill will be a tough challenge they rank 3rd in the NHL with a 83.5% kill rate.
Depth Scoring: The Penguins will need contributions beyond Crosby and Malkin to keep pace with the Maple Leafs balanced attack down all four of their forward lines. Everyone on the Penguins will need to show up to play.
Back-to-Back Test for Pittsburg: After playing last night in New York, the Penguins stamina and focus will be tested, especially for an older group of players having issues in their defensive zone.
Goaltending Battle: While Toronto’s tandem has been one of the most solid in the NHL this year, Pittsburgh’s struggling netminders must step up to give the Penguins a chance to win tonight regardless of who starts in net.
Final Thoughts Before Puck Drop
With Crosby and Nylander both in top form, this clash promises high end skill and plenty of intrigue. Toronto will aim to use their defensive structure and balanced roster to outlast Pittsburgh, while the Penguins hope Crosby’s leadership can inspire a much-needed victory. This will be an action packed battle tonight make sure you tune into this matchup.
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