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Steemsports presents the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning

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Game Preview

The Leafs have been on a tear lately winning 6-0 and 4-1 in two of their previous outings. The Lightning lost 4-0 to the Capitals just before the break – but they have a solid team again this year. This will be a showdown between a youthful exciting rebuilt – and a Tampa team that is hoping to compete again this year for the Cup.

ALL-TIME RECORD

Tampa Bay Lightning	26 Wins
Toronto Maple Leafs	26 Wins

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Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are in year two of their teardown/rebuild. They managed to get the first round draft pick this year – Auston Matthews who has scored 16 goals in 33 games – proving he’s the real deal. Veteran JVR has 13 goals and Kadi has 12. There is a lot of good to speak of –with this Toronto team, such as their not so shaky goalie Andersen and his 14 wins. Usually, with a rebuild, you lose consistently for a few years and then emerge a powerhouse – in this case, the talented Leafs have powerhouse playmakers like Nylander and Marner as well as guys who can put it in the net.

Youth is this team’s strength and probably its biggest weakness at this point. The Leafs will grow up to be a formidable opponent – but for now, Leaf fans simply get a glance at what the future may hold – and its starting to look like they might actually make the playoffs. If they continue to play well in the second half – it’s a guarantee.

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Player Spotlight: William Nylander

William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius (born 1 May 1996) is a Canadian-born Swedish professional ice hockey player currently for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nylander was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.Nylander is a key part of this young Toronto team. With 7 goals and 15 assists for a combined 22 points – he is on track to have an incredible year.

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Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been flirting with success the last few seasons. With Bishop in net and Stamkos leading the team, they have looked at times to be Cup contenders. Unfortunately, Stamkos is out for at least 4 months with a right knee injury – he hasn’t played since November. Despite not having Stamkos in their lineup – the Lightning have fared well between their two goalies and the prolific play of Kucherov.

The Lightning are 17-15-3 and are currently in fourth place. A loss to the Maple Leafs in tonight's game – coupled by a win in Miami last night would put the Leafs into 4th place. Highlights of the Tampa team include Kucherov with 30pts, Hedman with an amazing 23 assists and Filppula with 18 assists and 6 goals. Tampa has a lot of depth – and that has really shown in Stamkos’s absence. This is a game that Tampa should win – but given the Leafs recent surge – it could go either way.

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Player Profile: Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Igorevich Kucherov (Russian: Никита Игоревич Кучеров; born June 17, 1993) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). During the 2014–15 NHL season, Kucherov had a breakout season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kucherov posted 29 goals, 36 assists, and 65 points. Kucherov also tied for the NHL lead in plus-minus with Max Pacioretty at a +38 rating. The +38 rating also set the Lightning single season franchise record for +/- rating.

On May 20, 2015, Kucherov joined Martin St. Louis as the only players in Lightning history to record two game winning goals in overtime in a single playoff year, having scored a winner that evening against the New York Rangers; he had scored one in Game 1 of the prior round against the Montreal Canadiens. This season with Stamkos injured – Kucherov has really shown not only leadership potential – but the ability to put serious numbers on the board. He has 30 points in 28 games played 13 of which are goals.

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Presenter: @hansolo

Editor: @cryptoiskey

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