Game 1 Preview: Setting Up The Series

Welcome back, beloved hockey fans.

It's been 145 days since the Toronto Maple Leafs last played a meaningful hockey game. The puck drops tonight on a best-of-five Stanley Cup Qualifying series between the Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets, all played within the "bubble" at Scotiabank Arena.

Although there will not be the usual passionate fans packing the rink, the buzz around Toronto as the NHL returns to play should give the hosts a spark.

So how did we get here?

The NHL suspended play on March 12th due to the coronavirus pandemic, when the No. 8 Maple Leafs and No. 9 Blue Jackets both sat with 81 points in 70 games played. Toronto did hold a slight edge, boasting three more regulation wins and a stronger goal differential.

The teams only clashed twice in the regular season, both back in October, which now feels like 12 years ago. The series was split, with Toronto winning 4-1 on October 4th and then losing 4-3 in overtime two weeks later.

The matchup

It's no secret Toronto's high-flying offence packs a mighty punch, scoring 237 goals in the regular season, second most league wide. Leading that dynamic offence was Auston Matthews, who was only one goal shy of a tie for the Rocket Richard Trophy while setting career highs in goals (47) and points (80) before the pause. Toronto's entire top six is a spin cycle of highlight-reel goals and offensive weaponry, and their power play was one of the league's best throughout the regular season.

On the other end of the ice, Columbus ranked fourth-lowest in the league with only 180 goals scored. But while Toronto is an offensive juggernaut, Columbus is just as powerful defensively. They excel at shutting down the opposition with their stifling forecheck, consistency and discipline in the neutral zone, and work ethic.

Goaltenders will be deemed \essential workers\ during this series. Frederik Andersen's track record shows he has the potential to tilt a series for the Blue and White. The restart offers an opportunity for the Dane to turn around a season where he posted a 2.85 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. Columbus's solid goaltender rotation of Joonas Korpisalo and rookie Elvis Merzļikins have worked well in tandem throughout the season, and both are expected to see ice time this series.

If there's one silver-lining from months without hockey, it's healthy rosters come August. Both teams suffered extensive injuries to their lineups throughout the regular season and enter the Qualifying series healthier.

Welcoming back Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin will bring a significant boost to Toronto's blueline, along with "Souperman" Ilya Mikheyev, who has already made an impact up front in Toronto's lone exhibition game. At the same time, Columbus will also see the timely return of Seth Jones, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson.

What's at stake?

Well, everything.

Last year, Columbus shocked the hockey world by winning their first ever playoff series, sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning to upend their historic season. Columbus will want to prove it was no fluke. Look for that mentality from this nose-to-the-grindstone team.

And Toronto? After four consecutive first-round exits, it's due time to clear that mental hurdle.

Bring on the hockey.