5 Keys for the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. the Dallas Stars

The Toronto Maple Leafs have embarked on a seven-game road trip that sees them face some of the best teams in the NHL.

While the holiday break is wedged in there as well, this trip could allow them to separate from the playoff pretenders, or it could bring them back to the pack.

If Sunday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks is any indicator, it could be the latter. The Leafs were thoroughly outplayed in a 4-0 defeat in the Windy City.

Next up for the Leafs are the mercurial Dallas Stars. Let's take a look at five keys for the Leafs as they head to Big D.

Engage the Defence Offensively

USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs have had excellent offensive production from their defensive group. The top pairing of Cody Franson and Dion Phaneuf have combined for 38 points this season.

Franson has been good in the defensive zone and superb offensively. Phaneuf has consistently played against the opposing team's top guns, yet has also managed to put up 17 points.

Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner haven't produced like the club would like, but they have managed a combined 19 points.

The Stars are not a good defensive team right now. They struggle to contain opposing forwards, and their defensive-zone coverage is nonexistent, particularly when pinching defencemen enter the offensive cycle.

Look for some big numbers from the Leafs' top offensive defenders.

Play at Even Strength

USA TODAY Sports

The Stars have some gifted offensive players. Led by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, Jason Spezza and Trevor Daley are also potent offensive contributors.

Dallas moves the puck well on the power play, and Seguin has 12 power-play points. Benn is one of the most underrated shooters in the game today. Leafs fans know Spezza's game well. 

These three attackers relish the extra time and space that power-play time affords them. The Leafs need to play the majority of this game at five-on-five. A win may depend on it.

Allow the Leafs' Depth to Dominate

USA TODAY Sports

When the Leafs aren't rolling offensively, head coach Randy Carlyle loves to get the blender out and do some line mixing. He may want to go back to some tried-and-true lines to start the Dallas game though as a fast start could seal this one for the Leafs.

Regardless of who plays where, the Leafs' depth should be a decisive factor in this one. The Stars cannot match the Leafs' depth—especially among the forwards.

Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik and Peter Holland have provided great two-way minutes for the bulk of the season. Santorelli has earned 22 points in 34 games; he's been a big part of the attack.

Richard Panik and David Clarkson have also contributed in a meaningful way. All of these players need to be factors against the Stars.

Leafs' Stars Need to Shine Brightly

USA TODAY Sports

The Stars boast some all-world players. The Leafs can do the same.

The play of these players should determine who wins this game. Seguin and Benn will get their chances, but the Leafs have done a much better job defensively over the entire season. The Toronto defence should be able to contain the Stars more than its Dallas counterparts will be able to do against the Leafs' offensive stars.

The Stars tend to trade chances, and that could prove disastrous against the Leafs. Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak thrive on producing off of the rush. If this game turns into a track meet, the Leafs should be just fine.

Dallas' goaltending has been terrible this year, on top of the poor team defence. Kari Lehtonen has a .904 save percentage while Anders Lindback's save percentage sits at .864.

Expect a lot of scoring chances at both ends of the ice in this one.

Get a Fast Start

Graig Abel/Getty Images

This holds true in most NHL games, but it has added importance for Tuesday night's game. Dallas is tied for 29th in the NHL in goals against.

If the Leafs can score an early goal or two and then continue with sustained offensive pressure, this game could turn into a romp.

The Stars can also score, but they are no match for the Leafs defensively when Toronto commits to playing a 200-foot game. The Leafs goaltending has also been much better over the course of the season.

Dallas fans have seen the team lose a lot in 2014-15, so taking them out of the game early will only help the Leafs' cause on the road.

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