5 Keys as the Toronto Maple Leafs Face the Dallas Stars

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't being confused with a Stanley Cup contender right now, but the club is showing signs of being something more than an also-ran.

The Leafs were very convincing in hammering the Washington Capitals on Saturday night with a 6-2 victory. Efforts like that will go a long way in securing a berth in the NHL's second season in April.

Next up are the Dallas Stars. While the Stars have some high-end talent, it has not translated to a strong start to the 2014-15 season.

Let's take a look at five keys as the Leafs prepare to face the Stars at the Air Canada Centre.

Let Dallas Keep Streaking

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The Dallas Stars have been a model for streaky play. In their last eight games, they've lost three, won three and now lost two. The Leafs will hope that good things, at least from their perspective, come in threes.

The Leafs need to get off to a good start and put some pressure on the Stars' depth forwards and defencemen.

While the Stars' top-end talent is as good as any team's in the NHL, it's the rest of the team that has not been nearly good enough in 2014-15.

The Air Canada Centre crowd should be behind the Leafs early, so the team needs to use that to its advantage. Getting after it early will best serve Toronto.

Utilize the Powerful Power Play

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The Leafs remain in the top 10 in the NHL in power-play percentage heading into Monday night's play. The club is operating at 21.2 percent.

Conversely, the Stars have been less than mediocre in the penalty-killing department; they rank 21st in the NHL in this category.

With Joffrey Lupul back in the fold, the Leafs have even more firepower than what they've had for much of the season. Scoring a power-play goal or two against the Stars could be decisive.

Focus on Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin

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Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have been absolute beasts this year. They are big, fast and extremely skilled with the puck.

They have combined for 26 goals and more than 50 points. No other Star has scored more than five goals.

Offensively, as Benn and Seguin go, so go the Stars. The Leafs have the last change at the ACC. They need to use that to their advantage to attempt to limit this great duo.

It will take strong defensive play from both forwards and defencemen. Obviously, whomever the Leafs decide to start in net will be tested as well.

These two will get their chances. The key for the Leafs is to ensure they aren't of the five-alarm variety.

Puck Pressure All over the Ice

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The Stars will play an up-tempo style of game under head coach Lindy Ruff. What they won't do, however, is play strong two-way hockey.

Dallas is second to last in the NHL in goals against. Their team goals-against average is an unsightly 3.46.

The Leafs can take advantage of this poor defensive play in the neutral zone and in the attacking zone. Head coach Randy Carlyle loves puck pressure, so the Leafs should be able to do this all night.

The Stars are prone to giveaways. If the Leafs can create offence with puck pressure, and off of turnovers as a result, expect the floodgates to open up on Tuesday night.

Lean on Superior Depth

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Leo Komarov has been the poster boy for the Leafs improved depth in 2014-15. According to Jonas Siegel of TSN.ca (h/t Rotoworld), he missed practice on Monday due to the hit he took from Alex Ovechkin, but he has been an unsung hero for the Leafs.

Komarov, Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik have combined for 38 points in the Leafs' first 23 games. While some of this play has been produced with second-line minutes, most of it has been in a bottom-six role.

With or without Komarov, the Leafs have enough talent in their bottom six to more than hold their own against the Stars.

Additionally, depth defenders Jake Gardiner and Korbinian Holzer have played some solid minutes in recent games. Allowing Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson the odd extra breather will help against the speedy Stars.

Depth at forward and defence will favour the Leafs on Tuesday.

All stats can be found on NHL.com unless noted otherwise.