Detroit @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2019 ) Toronto 6, Detroit 0

The Toronto Maple Leafs are beginning to find their top form under new coach Sheldon Keefe, especially on the offensive end of the ice, and go for a sixth win in seven games when they host the struggling Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. The Maple Leafs scored at least four times in each of the wins during their recent surge, including Friday’s 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers when they registered three unanswered goals in the third period.

Mitch Marner and William Nylander each scored twice for Toronto, which improved to 9-4 since Keefe replaced Mike Babcock as coach and climbed into a virtual tie with Montreal for second place in the Atlantic Division after its third straight win Friday. The Maple Leafs have earned at least a point in eight straight contests (6-0-2) in the series against the rival Red Wings after outscoring them 11-2 in the first two meetings between the Original Six rivals this season. Detroit, which is 2-2-0 since its frustrating 12-game losing streak and owns the league’s worst record, led by a goal in the second period Tuesday before giving up the final three in a 5-3 setback at home against Columbus. “My 9-year-old plays hockey and he’s allergic to the puck sometimes, he just gets rid of it as fast as he can. That’s kind of the way we played tonight,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill told reporters after the latest loss. “That’s all about confidence, moxie and swagger, and we’re the only ones who can give ourselves that.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, CBC, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet 360 (Toronto)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (9-24-3): Forward Filip Zadina, the sixth-overall pick in the 2018 draft, has two goals to go along with seven points in 11 games this season and skated on the top line with center Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha on Friday. “I think he’s always been a dangerous player with the puck,” Larkin told NHL.com of Zadina. “. … I think this year he’s dug in. Not that he didn’t last year, but he’s getting a big opportunity here. You see him on the forecheck, you see him playing hard. He’s been a good spark for our team.” Leading scorer Tyler Bertuzzi (28 points, 99 career) reportedly skated with center Valtteri Filppula and Robby Fabbri at practice.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (18-14-4): Center Auston Matthews had two assists Friday after scoring twice in Tuesday’s victory over Buffalo and leads the team with 21 goals and 38 points. Marner extended his point streak to six games and Nylander tied captain John Tavares for second on the team with 13 goals by scoring for the first time in eight contests during December. Frederik Andersen (18-8-3) made 19 saves to earn the victory in his ninth straight start Friday and is expected to be rested Saturday in favor of backup Michael Hutchinson, who is looking for his first win in a Toronto sweater (0-5-1, .876 save percentage).

OVERTIME

1. Detroit G Jonathan Bernier (7-10-2, .896 SP) is expected to start Saturday and G Jimmy Howard is slated to return from injury Sunday against Arizona.

2. Toronto F Ilya Mikheyev has scored in three consecutive games and is fourth among NHL rookies with 21 points.

3. Red Wings F Adam Erne scored two goals in the loss to Columbus after going without a point in his first 27 games this season.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 5, Red Wings 4