Maple Leafs vs Blackhawks

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Rasmus Sandin has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks after sustaining minor injuries against the ...

On Wednesday, a game between a team that remains up near the top of the league standings and a team toiling at the bottom went exactly as expected, with Toronto ...

[New York Rangers](https://www.blueshirtbanter.com) a week ago. [Columbus Blue Jackets](https://www.jacketscannon.com) and [Anaheim Ducks](https://www.anaheimcalling.com) share a slightly lower points percentage at .357, compared to the Hawks’ .361. The [Minnesota Wild](https://www.hockeywilderness.com) also jumped in, grabbing a fourth-round pick while retaining some of O’Reilly’s salary to make the deal work. Louis in exchange for forward Mikhail Ambramov, old friend Adam Gaudette (RIP to the #GaudetteGang) and a trio of draft picks: a 2023 first, a 2024 second and a 2023 third. 55.6% (1st) — Faceoffs — 52.2% (7th) 18.0% (26th) — Power play — 25.4% (4th) 2.40 (32nd) — Goals per game — 3.35 (8th) Louis Blues](https://www.stlouisgametime.com). 43.04% (32nd) — Corsi For — 51.64% (8th) 40.88% (31st) — Expected goals for — 54.09% (4th) From a Blackhawks perspective, that trade takes away another possible destination for Patrick Kane. The deal loads up Toronto’s forward depth even more, with O’Reilly sure to help shore up some of the Leafs’ defensive deficiencies.

The quick and dirty lineup notes: Ilya Samsonov has recovered enough from his illness to start tonight, but Rasmus Sandin picked up a bump in last night's win ...

I can see the focus and creativity they both have, and the tenaciousness they have. There is a ton of work that has to happen still, but it is rejuvenating to be around that kind of energy. It was good to get that one out of the way. For me, it is fun to be a part of it. Everything from having a true faceoff man to a versatile player who is very good down the middle of the ice, whether that is net-front or as the bumper… The quick and dirty lineup notes: Ilya Samsonov has recovered enough from his illness to start tonight, but Rasmus Sandin picked up a bump in last night’s win and will be replaced on the blue line by Conor Timmins.

A win is a win, and Friday night's win surely felt good. Even so, Chicago's pedestrian season has resulted in seven defeats in the last 10 games. The 5-1 ...

Sam Lafferty (10th) startled Ottawa with a breakaway, shorthanded goal before Patrick Kane (11th) score again to send the game to overtime. They flipped the script of Wednesday’s defeat to the Leafs by scoring a surprisingly early goal rather than coughing one up. Toronto was far and away the better side, operating like the machine they can be when they play their game. If one considers the talent and statistical discrepancies between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs, then defeating Montreal 5-1 shouldn’t mean much. The result improved Toronto’s win streak over the Illinois club to three games. Two goals were shared apiece within minutes, but it was only a tease as the Leafs dominated the rest of the way, winning 5-2.

Today's second set of NHL Predictions features an old-time NHL rivalry with the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Chicago Blackhawks.

[battle for Bedard](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2023/01/24/connor-bedard-2023-nhl-draft-scouting-report/) between the [Columbus Blue Jackets](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/category/bluejackets/) and [Arizona Coyotes](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/category/coyotes/). [Winnipeg Jets](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/category/jets/) and the [New Jersey Devils](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/category/devils/). [Jack Hughes](https://www.hockey-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=hugheja03,hugheja02&search=Jack+Hughes&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) [has returned](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2023/02/09/new-jersey-devils-announced-jack-hughes-out-week-to-week/) and [Nico Hischier](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/hischni01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) scored twice in the victory. [Connor Ingram](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/i/ingraco01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) has played well in his last two games in goal. [Elvis Merzlikins](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/merzlel01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) should start with the Jackets playing on back-to-back nights. [Mark Scheifele](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/scheima01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) leads the team in goals scored with 32. [Petr Mrazek](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/mrazepe01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) will be the likely starter for the Blackhawks, who did win over the [ Ottawa Senators](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/category/senators/) the last time out. [Montreal Canadiens](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/category/canadiens/). [Mackenzie Blackwood](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/blackma01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) will probably get the call in goal with the Devils playing on back-to-back nights. [Connor Hellebuyck](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/helleco01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) is currently listed as the starter, but the Jets will play the Rangers on Monday night. [Ryan O’Reilly](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/o/oreilry01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&utm_campaign=2023-02-19_hr) picked up an assist in [his first game with the club](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2023/02/17/st-louis-blues-trade-ryan-oreilly/) and he also won 12 faceoffs. This team will [likely have a fire sale](https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2023/02/15/nhl-rumours-chicago-blackhawks-sam-lafferty-trade-bait/) at the deadline to gather assets for the lengthy rebuild.

Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane needed just over half of Sunday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs to complete a hat trick.

He now has 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in 52 games. The third goal was confirmed after a video review as Kane shot the puck from behind the net off Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov. “We’re not thinking about that.