Maple Leafs bring losing streak into home matchup with the Avalanche

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche are set to face off in a crucial matchup, with the Maple Leafs coming off a losing streak of three games. The Toronto team has struggled overall, sitting at 8-9-2 with a home record of 4-5-1. They have been penalized 83 times this season, averaging 4.4 penalties per game and ranking sixth in the league. In contrast, the Avalanche have been stronger, posting a 10-6-2 record overall and a 3-5-0 mark on the road.

Tuesday's game marks the second time these teams have met this season, with the Maple Leafs emerging victorious 6-3 in their previous encounter. William Nylander led the charge for Toronto, scoring two goals in that game. Auston Matthews has been a standout performer for the Maple Leafs, tallying 11 goals and 16 assists so far this season. Artturi Lehkonen has also been impressive for the Avalanche, with 12 goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

Looking at their last 10 games, the Maple Leafs have a mixed record of 5-5-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.3 assists, 4.9 penalties, and 11.8 penalty minutes per game while conceding 2.9 goals per contest. The Avalanche, on the other hand, have been slightly better, with a 5-4-1 record, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.8 assists, 4.1 penalties, and 9 penalty minutes per game while allowing 3.1 goals per game.

Injuries have plagued both squads, with the Maple Leafs dealing with Morgan Rielly's day-to-day lower body issue, Kirill Marchenko's absence due to a lower-body injury, Cade Webber's elbow injury, Elvis Merzlikins' shoulder injury, Max Domi's back issue, Miles Wood's undisclosed ailment, Nick Blankenburg's upper-body problem, William Villeneuve's knee issue, Jack Roslovic's day-to-day lower-body problem, and Marshall Rifai's lower-body injury.

For the Avalanche, Zachary Heureux is out with an upper-body injury, and Josh Manson is sidelined due to a lower-body issue.