Panthers at Maple Leafs
THE STORY: Toronto's spotless home record took a major dent
last time out as the Maple Leafs suffered their worst loss of the
season. They will look to bounce back despite missing one of their top
forwards as they host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Toronto will have
to do without center Tim Connolly, who suffered an upper-body injury in
Saturday's 7-0 rout at the hands of the Boston Bruins. He is expected
to miss two weeks, a major blow to a team that had finally settled on a
solid four-line rotation. The Panthers are on a remarkable string of bad
fortune, having dropped three straight games - all via the shootout.
Florida fans are likely expecting a close game as the Panthers' last six
contests have been one-goal affairs. Tuesday marks the opener of a
stretch that will see Florida play four road games in a five-game span.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida, RS Ontario (Toronto)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (6-4-3):
Florida players had better work on their breakaway techniques. The
Panthers are 0 for 9 in the shootout format during their three-game
losing skid - a kiss of a death for a team that is expected to play more
tight affairs than most. Coach Kevin Dineen acknowledges the dry spell
is a major concern moving forward. "It's something we continue to work
on," he said. "Shootouts mean a lot of points. We feel we are going to
see a lot of shootouts."
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (9-4-1):
Sports radio in Toronto was abuzz following word that the oft-injured
Connolly was on the shelf for the second time this season after missing
the opening eight games with an upper-body injury. Toronto signed him to
a two-year deal in the off-season as a fallback option after missing
out on Brad Richards, but he has done little to justify the deal - he
has appeared in six games, scoring once and adding three assists.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams split four head-to-head meetings last season, with the home team prevailing each time.
2.
The Maple Leafs brought forward Matt Frattin back from their American
Hockey League affiliate to replace Connolly on the roster. Frattin has
one assist in 11 games with the big club.