Maple Leafs at Panthers
The Florida Panthers' strong play at home is one of the primary reasons the club's expectations have been heightened this season. The Panthers look to extend their home winning streak to four games and secure at least a point for the seventh straight contest at BB&T Center when they open a three-game homestand versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Jimmy Hayes scored twice and Aleksander Barkov converted in the seventh round of the shootout as Florida posted a 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh on Monday to improve to 4-1-1 in its last six games overall and 5-0-1 in its last six home contests.
Toronto snapped its three-game losing streak by breezing to a 4-0 triumph over Dallas on Tuesday in the opener of a season-high seven-game road trip. "Losing streaks, you don't want them to linger, and that one was lingering long enough for us," coach Randy Carlyle said. "It was the best Christmas present we could have given ourselves." The Maple Leafs are playing 14 of their next 18 away from Air Canada Centre, with Sunday's tilt versus the Panthers beginning a stretch of five games in seven nights.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, TVA, RSN (Toronto), FSN Florida
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (20-12-3): James van Riemsdyk collected a goal and two assists versus the Stars and has netted five tallies and set up six others in his last nine games. Phil Kessel notched a pair of assists against Dallas for the second time in four contests and has recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his last nine games. Kessel has excelled on the road, mustering 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 13 contests.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (15-9-8): Nick Bjugstad has been held off the scoresheet in each of his last five contests, but a visit from Toronto could be just what he needs to ignite his scoring touch. Bjugstad recorded two goals and an assist in Florida's 4-2 victory over the Maple Leafs on April 10 and Roberto Luongo made 27 saves to improve to 10-1-0 in his last 12 meetings with Toronto. Sean Bergenheim collected five points (two goals, three assists) as Florida won three of the four encounters with the Maple Leafs in 2013-14.
OVERTIME
1. Florida C Dave Bolland will face his former team for the first time since signing a contract in the offseason.
2. Toronto G Jonathan Bernier has faced at least 40 shots in three of his last four games and saw the Panthers put 47 on net in his last meeting.
3. After a blistering start to his rookie season, Panthers D Aaron Ekblad has recorded just one assist in his last six games.