The Leafs have won two in a row, including a dramatic come-from-behind win Saturday in which they scored three straight in the third period to edge the Winnipeg Jets 3-2.
At 8-3-0 and tops in the Atlantic standings, the Leafs are sitting among the NHL's elite at this early point in the campaign.
"They're playing like one of the best in the league right now," said Matthew Tkachuk after a morning workout at the Scotiabank Saddledome prior to heading to the airport. "They've been able to beat teams in multiple ways; scoring a lot, playing good D.
"They had a big comeback win yesterday so they're going to be playing well and they're going to be feeling great.
"Their goaltending is real good and it's a tough place to play in. So, we're looking forward to it but it's definitely going to be tough. They're a high-powered team."
While the Leafs won their game Saturday, they suffered a big loss after star centre Auston Matthews left the game in the second period. He won't dress tomorrow.
"He's got a shoulder injury. We'll look at it on Monday and we'll know more on Monday," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock told nhl.com. "He's not practicing on Sunday and won't play on Monday (against the Flames). He's not ready right away for sure."
While the Arizona native has been the most dynamic offensive weapon for the Leafs so far this season, leading the club with 10 goals and tied for second league-wide with three other players at that mark, he's by no means the only threat.
Mitch Marner has four goals and 15 points to sit second in team scoring, while much ballyhooed off-season signing John Tavares has seven goals.
Matthew's oft linemate this season - Kasperi Kapanen - has six goals and has become a legit scoring threat.
"They've got a lot of great players," said Tkachuk. "Just go down their lineup. Doesn't matter if they are missing someone or not.
"They are a real good team and we have to be ready."
Coach Bill Peters said Sunday morning he expects to ice the same lineup that played the Caps, although adding "that's our plan but obviously things can change."
He said Mike Smith, who stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced against Washington, will start in net while David Rittich will get the nod in Buffalo the following night against the Sabres in the second game of this quick two-game Eastern set.
"We're pretty familiar with the way Toronto is going to play," said Peters. "They're going to be fast, they're going to be quick, they're going to be good defensively - they don't get enough credit for their team defence.
"I think they're hard to play against, they're quick, their gaps are real good, their D skate. So we're going to have our work cut out for us and it will be up to us to play at our level. I think last night (a 4-3 shootout loss to the Caps) was a good stepping stone and now we have to build off that."
Tkachuk said team speed and offensive pressure will be a key to getting the upper hand on the Leafs.
"They play fast right through their whole lineup which is why it's tough to create a bunch of chances or to have a ton of offensive time," said Tkachuk. "I think if we make their offensive guys play defence more that's a good start."
