Checking From Behind Pulling No Punches

Two Leafs players have food poisoning, so Nazem Kadri is an emergency call up for tonight’s game. No word as of what line he will be playing on just yet, but one thing is for sure this will be an interesting sneak peak at what Kadri and Kessel could bring to the club next season.

This is also a matchup with Ron Wilson’s former club. The Sharks have been strong as of late, going 8-1-1 in their last ten. Both teams are coming off wins, with J.S. Giguere getting the 2nd star of the week with his back to back shutouts.

The Maple Leafs have confirmed via twitter that Kadri will be in the lineup tonight. It is believed he could take Ponikarovsky’s place on the top line to join Kessel and Bozak, though Ron Wilson would prefer to have a little size on that line. It all depends on which Leafs are sick and will not be eligible for tonight’s game.

As Per TSN.ca:

“The 19-year-old was called up on an emergency basis as Christian Hanson and Fredrik Sjostrom will both be sitting out with the flu. Kadri has 26 goals and 40 assists in 42 games with the OHL’s London Knights this season.”

Who’s Hot? San Jose:

Jason Demers (D) 5 pts in last 5 GP
Kent Huskins (D) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Dany Heatley (LW/RW) 8 pts in last 4 GP
Joe Thornton (C) 5 pts in last 3 GP
Patrick Marleau (C/W) 18 pts in last 12 GP
Devin Setoguchi (RW/LW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Jed Ortmeyer (RW/LW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Scott Nichol (C) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Ryane Clowe (RW/LW) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Evgeni Nabokov (G) 8-1-2, 1.90, .944 in last 11 GPI
Thomas Greiss (G) 2-0-0, 2.00, .939 in last 2 GPI

Who’s Hot? Toronto:

Luke Schenn (D) 3 pts in last 2 GP
Tomas Kaberle (D) 2 pts in last 2 GP
Phil Kessel (RW) 5 pts in last 2 GP
Tyler Bozak (C) 3 pts in last 2 GP
Alexei Ponikarovsky (LW) 8 pts in last 6 GP
Rickard Wallin (C/LW) 3 pts in last 3 GP
Jean-Sebastien Giguere (G) 2-0-0, 0.00, 1.000 in last 2 GPI

What line would you create for Kadri?

Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@mapleleafshotstove.com