from Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun,

BIG MATCHUP

Kasperi Kapanen vs. Justin Abdelkader

If Detroit coach Jeff Blashill keeps Justin Abdelkader on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha, Kasperi Kapanen’s speed on the right side could give him an upper hand on the veteran Abdelkader, though it won’t be easy. Abdelkader likes to play a heavy game and will be as important as Kapanen on the forecheck. Kapanen has demonstrated quickly some chemistry with Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

Auston all the time
Is Auston Matthews capable of continuing his offensive outburst? In short, yes, and not only because there’s nothing, apparently, that can stop him. In seven career games against Detroit, Matthews has seven goals. Against only the Montreal Canadiens (nine goals in eight games) and the Ottawa Senators (eight goals in nine games) has Matthews scored more.

A desire to kill
Playing under control and with the right level of aggressiveness is key on any penalty kill, but for the Wings, it’s paramount. The Leafs’ first power-play unit was expected to be deadly and it has been that. “(Mitch) Marner is an elite power-play player, one of the best in the league,” Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “Matthews is an elite player, (John) Tavares is an elite player. Just a lot of really good there.”

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