Maple Leafs Look to Snap Skid in First Visit to Utah

Maple Leafs Seek Rebound After Tough Loss to Avalanche

The Toronto Maple Leafs (37-20-8) will try to avoid a four-game losing streak when they visit the Utah Hockey Club (30-29-6) for the first time ever in Salt Lake City on Monday night.

Toronto fell 7-4 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, despite two-goal performances from Mitch Marner and John Tavares. The Leafs have now dropped three straight games (0-2-1) and will need to regroup quickly before heading home.

Marner, Matthews Continue to Shine Despite Losing Streak

• Mitch Marner has been Toronto’s top playmaker this season, leading the team with 58 assists and 79 points in 62 games.
• Auston Matthews extended his point streak to 12 games (3 goals, 15 assists) in the loss to Colorado and continues to be a dominant offensive force.
• William Nylander leads the team with 35 goals, while Matthews isn’t far behind with 34.

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz made 27 saves against the Avalanche, bringing his record to 13-6-3 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA this season.

New Additions Laughton, Carlo Adjusting to Maple Leafs

Toronto’s trade deadline acquisitions, Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo, debuted against Colorado with no practice time beforehand.

Coach Craig Berube liked what he saw but acknowledged it will take time for them to build chemistry with the team.

“They were fine,” Berube said. “I know (Laughton) was on for a couple of goals against, but overall, I didn’t mind him. I thought Carlo was good.”

Toronto’s First Visit to Utah Brings Excitement

The Leafs defeated Utah 3-2 at home earlier this season, but this will be their first time playing in Salt Lake City.

“We’ll see what it’s all about, but excited to see what the arena and fan base are like,” Marner said about visiting Utah for the first time.

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Utah Clinging to Playoff Hopes Amid Tough Stretch

The Utah Hockey Club sits four points out of a Western Conference wild-card spot and enters this matchup on a 0-2-1 skid following a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

Captain Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist against Chicago and leads the team with 49 assists and 72 points in 62 games.

Coach Tourigny Encouraging Young Team to Embrace the Challenge

Despite Utah’s recent struggles, head coach Andre Tourigny believes his team is built to handle adversity.

“The stretch we are in, the situation we are in, it’s adversity. It’s challenging. And we like it. I can see the players embracing it,” Tourigny said after the loss to Chicago.

Goaltending Changes: Stauber Replaces Ingram

Utah received tough news on Sunday as goaltender Connor Ingram entered the NHLPA/NHL player assistance program.

As a result, Utah recalled Jaxson Stauber from AHL Tucson.

• Stauber has made four NHL starts this season, posting a 2-1-1 record, a .925 save percentage, and a 2.23 GAA.
• Starter Karel Vejmelka (17-16-5, .910 SV%, 2.48 GAA) will likely get the nod Monday, though Stauber could see action soon.

Key Players to Watch

Toronto Maple Leafs

• Mitch Marner – Leads the team with 79 points and has been Toronto’s top playmaker.
• Auston Matthews – On a 12-game point streak, he’s among the NHL’s top scorers.
• John Tavares – Coming off a two-goal game, looking to keep producing.

Utah Hockey Club

• Clayton Keller – Team leader with 72 points, a key offensive catalyst.
• Dylan Guenther – Utah’s co-leader in goals with 23, needs to step up.
• Karel Vejmelka – Will need to be sharp against Toronto’s high-powered offense.

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Game Outlook & Prediction

Toronto desperately needs a win after three straight losses, while Utah is battling for a playoff spot and will play with urgency.

The Leafs have the offensive firepower, but Utah has been tough at home (12-13-6).

Expect a close, hard-fought battle, but Toronto’s star power should be enough to get back on track.

Prediction: Maple Leafs 4, Utah 3 (OT)

Can the Leafs end their losing streak, or will Utah pull off an upset and gain ground in the playoff race? Monday’s matchup should provide plenty of drama.