Maple Leafs at Ducks
THE STORY: When the Anaheim Ducks acquired defenseman Francois Beauchemin from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, the move didn't immediately register as a major deal for either side. Not even 10 months later, that trade is looking ridiculously one-sided in favor of Toronto. The Ducks will get their first look at the players they dealt away as they welcome the Leafs to town Sunday night. The primary piece of the deal from Toronto's end, defenseman Jake Gardiner, has emerged as a top-4 option on the blue line in his rookie season. The steal of the transaction was the acquisition of forward Joffrey Lupul, who has resurrected his career with the Maple Leafs and sits third in the NHL scoring race with 27 points in 23 games. Their contributions have propelled Toronto into a legitimate playoff contender, at least through the first quarter of the season. Anaheim, meanwhile, has dropped six in a row and is mired near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet Ontario, Fox Sports Prime Ticket
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (13-8-2): Lupul has 45 points in 51 games since joining Toronto in February, and his chemistry with league scoring leader Phil Kessel has been a revelation. So, too, has the Maple Leafs' performance away from the Air Canada Centre. Toronto is 7-5-0 on the road so far this season, looking to improve upon its 19-19-3 mark last season. Sunday marks the team's first visit to Orange County since Oct. 26, 2009, when the Maple Leafs cruised to a 6-3 victory.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (6-12-4): Anaheim finally found its offensive rhythm last time out - and it still wasn't enough to get back into the win column. The Ducks made all sorts of defensive lapses in a 6-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night, giving them losses in 12 of their last 13 contests. Already sitting 10 points out of eighth place in the Western Conference, goaltender Jonas Hiller summed it up best following the loss to Chicago: "It seems like we're almost afraid to lose."
OVERTIME:
1. Hiller, Sunday's confirmed starter, has allowed 11 goals in his only two encounters with the Maple Leafs.
2. The Ducks and Calgary Flames are the only teams in the West that have yet to break the 50-goal barrier for the season.
3. Future Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne, who leads the Ducks in scoring as a 41-year-old, has 12 goals and 13 assists in 32 career games against Toronto.