BARCLAYS CENTER
FACEOFF: 7 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet
RADIO: TSN 1050
KEY PLAYERS
Tavares vs. Kadri
Nazem Kadri raised a few eyebrows in Leafland back in 2014 when he compared himself with John Tavares, his former junior teammate: “Talent-wise, there’s not too much difference, to be honest,” Kadri said. A couple of seasons on, there’s not much stats-wise, either. Heading into Monday’s game Kadri has 20 goals; Tavares has 20. Kadri has 17 assists; Tavares has 23. And if there’s still plenty of separation between the players born 16 days apart in 1990 — Tavares, for one, remains the focal point of opposing defences, while Kadri has benefitted greatly from the arrival of Auston Matthews et al — the numbers are a credit to Kadri’s gradual evolution as a pro.
NEED TO KNOW
Matt Martin wore a battle scar from Saturday’s fight with Boston’s Adam McQuaid: stitches in his left ear, which was cut open in the fracas. Martin, speaking on Sunday, echoed coach Mike Babcock’s concern about the logistics of a player who doesn’t wear a visor (like Martin) fighting one who does (such as McQuaid). “It sucks. I hit (McQuaid’s visor) a couple of times,” Martin said. “It protects him. When you’ve got a shield on and it’s protecting half your face or more, it’s out of my control, but it sucks . . . (McQuaid) never used to wear one. He probably wears one now because he’s a defenceman in front of the net. I don’t know. I don’t know why he put it on.”
UP NEXT
Tuesday vs. Dallas Stars, 7:30 p.m.
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