This is a true David and Goliath match-up tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Because as I understand it, Goliath was this massively overrated giant with some clear weaknesses. But a lot of people liked Goliath and the media obsessed over him constantly.
David was a down on his luck fellow that had actually performed a lot better than Goliath in the last decade and a half but he was in pretty rough shape heading into the showdown.
Meanwhile all of Goliath’s stupid obnoxious friends gathered for the match-up even though it was in David’s house. And while Goliath was a huge favourite against David, everyone knew he was going to get messed up by an angry bear in a few weeks.
Man, fuck Goliath.
The Ottawa Senators play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
It’s no secret that the Senators are playing out the string. They still sit four points back of the Red Wings and Kings in the overall standings. Operation Don’t Finish Last is on the ropes but not all hope is lost just yet because both those teams are also terrible.
Meanwhile, the Leafs are in playoff tune up mode.
They’ve put an emphasis on tightening up their defence and goaltending the last few games. Mike Babcock, one of the league’s best coaches according to Mike Babcock, has sent a clear message and it’s getting through. The results speak for themselves.
The Leafs have allowed just 17 goals in the last three games.
Erik Brannstrom was returned to Belleville after his NHL debut on Thursday night which seems to suggest that Mark Borowiecki is ready to return. Colin White’s status is still up in the air. Game Day skate goes later this morning but a best guess at the line up for now.
Tkachuk-Pageau-Duclair
Balcers-Tierney-Ryan
Smith-Lindberg-Veronneau
Boedker-Paajarvi-Gibbons
Wolanin-Ceci
Harpur-DeMelo
Borowiecki-Jaros
Anders Nilsson gets the start in goal for Ottawa. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:08 PM and the first Leaf fan will be thrown out of the stadium shortly after that.
Tonight’s game is on Sportsnet which means this game day post may be the last thing you hear about the Ottawa Senators for the rest of the day.
Table time.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 43-23-5 (91 pts) | 24-41-6 (54 pts) |
| Goals For | 3.62 (2nd) | 2.92 (18th) |
| Goals Against | 2.96 (T-13th) | 3.66 (30th) |
| Power Play | 23.0% (7th) | 19.8% (15th) |
| Penalty Kill | 80.6% (16th) | 79.7% (21st) |
| Shots For | 32.7 (9th) | 29.8 (24th) |
| Shots Against | 33.2 (24th) | 36.0 (31st) |
| Playoff Series Wins in last 13 seasons | 0 | 7 |
| Starting Goalie | Garrett Sparks 7-6-1 3.04 GAA, .906 sv% |
Anders Nilsson 12-17-1 2.98 GAA, .908 sv% |
