A night after an ugly home ice loss, the Ottawa Senators are right back at it against their provincial rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While it’s a rivalry that has faded a little bit in recent years, this is a massive game for both teams. The Sens currently have a 7 point lead over the Leafs but have a couple games in hand. Ottawa sits fifth while the Leafs are in ninth and just a single point out of the final playoff spot.
The Leafs are coming off back to back weekend losses to the Sabres and the Rangers and will be looking to get back on track against the Sens. Jonas Gustavsson has made the bulk of the start for the Leafs as of late but they’ll go with James Reimer tonight.
The Sens were awful last night on home ice so expect Paul MacLean’s group to come out with a renewed energy. Tonight marks the first of a five game road trip leading up to the NHL All Star Break. Ottawa has picked up at least a point in nine straight road games (5-0-4) heading into the match up with the Leafs.
Last regulation loss on the road came back on December 1 in Dallas.
With a long road trip ahead, Andre Petersson and Mark Borowiecki have both been called up but neither will play tonight. Brian Lee did not travel with the team to Toronto so the Sens want to make sure they have enough healthy bodies on their West Coast swing. MacLean emphasized that both Petersson and Borowiecki will have a chance to play on this trip
No line up changes expected for the Sens tonight though.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-Butler
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Carkner
Craig Anderson makes another start in the Ottawa goal.Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM tonight with all the action available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
