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The Battle for the Basement: Leafs vs Hurricanes tonight (Nov 6)
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The two worst teams in the league, the Maple Leafs (1-7-5) and the Hurricanes (2-9-3), will battle it out tonight in Carolina.
The Headline
Which team is worse? With a pitiful combined 14 points and 3 wins, both Toronto and Carolina desperately need a win tonight.
The Side Note
Phil Kessel will be on the ice for his second game as a Leaf. His career-high 10 shots on net on Tuesday vs Tampa Bay were not enough to get him his first goal. He undoubtedly provides a much-needed big spark to an underachieving Leafs team.
Huh...
Both the Leafs and Hurricanes have won every game in which they've led after 1 period. Neither team has had much success coming from behind so tonight may be a classic case of whoever scores first, wins.
Leafs Report
Have allowed an average of 3.92 goals against per game (worst in the league). Power-play continues to be the only bright spot on an otherwise abysmal season to this point (25.9%; 3rd in the league). The Leafs have points in their last 5 games (1-0-4).
Hurricanes Report
Eric Staal sat out Wednesday's game against Florida with an upper-body injury and is questionable for tonight's tilt. The Canes don't stand much of a chance if Staal is out of the lineup. Last year's Eastern Conference finalists have been brutal in their last 4 games, losing by a combined score of 19-4.
Players to Watch
All eyes will be on Phil Kessel as he looks for his first goal as a Leaf. Tomas Kaberle continues to shine with 13 points in his last 5 games. Toronto will have to keep an eye on Jussi Jokinen and Ray Whitney who lead the team in scoring with 8 points apiece. If this one goes to a shootout, the Leafs will have to shut down Jussi Jokinen. Jokinen is a combined 21 for 35 in shootouts over the past 5 seasons (an incredible 60% success rate)!
The Prediction
Toronto 3 - Carolina 2
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