Preview: Bruins (9-8-1) vs. Leafs (7-9-4)

Just the facts:

When: 7 PM

Where: TD Garden

TV: NESN, CBC, NHL Network (US)

Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, NHL Radio

Rival SBNation Site: Pension Plan Puppets

Game notes:

This is the first game of a home-and-home series, with the Bruins visiting Toronto on Monday night. The Leafs are currently a point behind the Bruins in the Eastern Conference, winners of 5 of the their last 6 games.

Toronto played last night in Raleigh, beating the Hurricanes in a shootout, 2-1. James Reimer has been the main catalyst behind their recent success, posting a 5-0-2 mark over his last seven games. On the season, Reimer is 7-2-3 with a .933 save percentage and a GAA of 2.08. He's rounding back into the 2013 form that saw him basically carry the Leafs into the playoffs.

With Phil Kessel off to Pittsburgh, the Leafs have relied on a bit more balanced of an offense, though it hasn't exactly worked that way. The Leafs are 23rd in the league with 2.3 goals per game. James van Riemsdyk is the leading goal scorer with 7, followed by Leo Komarov (?!?!) and PA Parenteau with 6 apiece.

Overall, Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly lead the Leafs in scoring with 3-9-12 totals.

The Bruins were 2-1-1 against Toronto last season, winning the most recent match-up in an awful April shootout.

Loui Eriksson is hot for the Bruins, with 5 points in his last 3 games and 8 points in 7 November games. It's unclear whether or not Frank Vatrano will play tonight after leaving Thursday's game vs. Minnesota, but signs point more towards no than yes. The Bruins haven't made any official transaction yet, but someone should be coming up from Providence to take his spot. Max Talbot is the most likely guy, though Seth Griffith recently returned from injury.

Between the pipes, Jonas Gustavsson may get another chance, but we'll know more in a little while. Mike Babcock already said Reimer will start again tonight for Toronto.

EDIT (10:08 AM): Talbot has been called up.

Never forget:

Loui Eriksson's hat trick reminds me of another recent hat trick, this one vs. the Leafs.