Game Preview: Maple Leafs head south as first place is in reach

Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty ImagesTime: 7:00PM

Location: PNC Arena, Charlotte, NC

Broadcast/Streaming: Sportsnet Ontario, Fox Sports Carolina, NHL Live

With four wins in a row and winning seven of their last ten, the Maple Leafs are in a tight battle for first overall in the NHL, with just one loser point separating them from the Nashville Predators.

If we keep scrolling down to the midway point of the standings we come to the Hurricanes in 18th, still waiting for win number 10 and sporting a “Bettman 0.500” record of 9-8-3. The Hurricanes aren’t doing too badly lately themselves, with wins against the Devils, Blue Jackets, and Blackhawks (twice) in November. These games are much closer than…