There is really nothing quite like a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and especially at the CTC.
Their fans come out in droves. They arrive loud, obnoxious and way too confident. Then they leave quiet, sad and delightfully dejected. It’s like they pack a full season of the Leaf fan experience into a single night.
There is really nothing quite like a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Doing it twice is even better.
The Ottawa Senators continue their regular season with a stop in Toronto on Saturday night.
After what was really one of the best days in the history of the Ottawa Senators, we now settle into the rhythm of a long regular season. Coming into this year, the Sens were intent on getting off to a better start and they did just that on Thursday night. It certainly wasn’t perfect though and there is still lots for DJ Smith and his staff to work on as the season rolls along.
And it will roll along. Tough back to back this weekend with a game in Toronto tonight and then back home to take on the Dallas Stars less than 24 hours later. The good news is the Stars are in Boston tonight so there’s no real rest advantage for either team.
With Brady Tkachuk now signed, sealed and delivered, the conversation shifts to how quickly they can get him into the lineup. He was the first player on the ice at practice yesterday and one of a handful of guys to stake this morning in Toronto. As much as the Senators want to be cautious, you can tell that both the player and the Coach want him out there as soon as possible.
Comments from DJ Smith suggest that tomorrow night is a possibility and definitely by Thursday night. Although I imagine Brady will be trying to convince the Coaches he’s ready to go tonight.
No game day skate for the Senators this morning but DJ Smith just wrapped up his media availability and says they’ll go with the same lineup as Thursday night.
Stützle-Norris-Batherson
Paul-Pinto-Brown
Formenton-Tierney-Ennis
Sanford-Shaw-Kelly
Chabot-Zub
Mete-Zaitsev
Holden-Brown
Anton Forsberg gets the start in goal for the Senators.
Matt Murray was placed on the injured reserve list last night with what the team is calling a cold/flu but he’s eligible to return as early as Thursday night against the Sharks. That means there’s a good chance Filip Gustavsson gets a start tomorrow against the Stars.
Meanwhile, let’s check in on the Leafs…
Huh.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00. The game is available on CBC, Sportsnet Ontario and Sportsnet West. Dean and Gord will have the call at TSN1200 and some guy named Bort will be serving up the illegal streams.
Here’s a closer look at tonight’s match-up via the HEAD2HEAD table.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-0-0 (2 pts) | 1-1-0 (2 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.00 (T-14th) | 2.00 (T-22nd) |
| Goals Against | 2.00 (T-5th) | 2.00 (T-5th) |
| Power Play | 25.0% (T-16th) | 37.5% (T-10th) |
| Penalty Kill | 60.0% (T-11th) | 87.5% (2nd) |
| Shots For | 36.0 (T-10th) | 39.0 (T-5th) |
| Shots Against | 48.0 (T-27th) | 34.0 (T-17th) |
| Leading Scorers | Ennis- 2 pts Chabot- 1 pt Formenton- 1 pt Stutzle- 1 pt Holden 1 pts |
Nylander- 3 pts Rielly- 2 pts Spezza- 2 pts Bunting- 1 pt Engvall- 1 pt |
| Starting Goalie | Anton Forsberg 1-0-0 2.00 GAA, .958 sv% |
Jack Campbell 1-0-0 0.76 GAA, .976 sv% |
