Toronto @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2019 ) Minnesota 2, Toronto 4

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have enjoyed instant chemistry while playing on the same line, with the duo combining for 11 points (five goals, six assists) in three games. The Toronto Maple Leafs aim to squeeze a bit more juice out of the pair on Tuesday when they carry a seven-game point streak (6-0-1) on the road to face the Minnesota Wild.

"I'm pleased for sure," Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe told TSN on Monday. "Production has been really good, the energy between the two of them has been really good. ... It's been a good match for both five-on-five and on the power play." Matthews was named to his fourth consecutive NHL All-Star Game on Monday, two days after he collected two goals and an assist in a 5-4 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. Minnesota's Eric Staal, who will head to his sixth All-Star Game, erupted for 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 11 games before being held in check in a 3-1 setback to the New York Islanders on Sunday. The 35-year-old Ontario native looks to get back on track versus Toronto, against which he has recorded 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) in 48 career contests.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Wisconsin, FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (21-14-5): Captain John Tavares, who was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week on Monday, set up William Nylander's power-play goal against the Rangers to extend his point streak to four games (two goals, six assists). Marner assisted on Matthews' first goal to boost his point total to 18 in his last 10 contests. The 22-year-old scored a goal and set up two others and defenseman Morgan Rielly had four assists in Toronto's 4-2 win over Minnesota on Oct. 15.

ABOUT THE WILD (19-16-5): Captain Mikko Koivu was activated from injured reserve on Monday and is poised to end a 12-game absence due to a lower-body ailment against Toronto. Fellow forward Joel Eriksson Ek, who recently returned from an extended absence of his own, is riding a career high-tying three-game point streak after scoring a goal and setting up two others during the run. The 22-year-old Swede is also one point shy of tying his career high, set in 75 games during the 2017-18 season.

OVERTIME

1. Toronto's Frederik Andersen, who was named to the NHL's All-Star Game on Monday, is tied among league goaltenders with 19 wins.

2. The Wild had won nine of their previous 11 games in the series before dropping the first contest in October.

3. The Maple Leafs recalled Ds Timothy Liljegren and Teemu Kivihalme from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on Monday.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Wild 2