GDT: Battle of Ontario on HNIC
The Maple Leafs will try to forget last night’s defeat in Buffalo as they travel tonight to Scotiabank place to duel against their struggling provincial rivals. After kicking off the month of November with a 5-1-0 run, the Senators have since lost 5 out of their past 6 games including a defeat Friday afternoon at the hands of Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
The Leafs have had a nightmarish time on the road this season, ranking dead last in the league in terms of road record and offensive production. The team has stumbled into a 2-6-1 record including a ghastly 16 goals for through those 9 games played. The Leafs have lost seven in a row on the road, as their last victory away from the friendly confines of the ACC came way back on October 15th against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
The club’s powerplay will look to get back on track after going 0 for 6 last night against the Sabres. The Maple Leafs had won five straight against the Senators until Ottawa recorded a 3-2 regulation victory last time out at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto won the other meeting between the clubs this season, smoking the Senators 5-1 earlier on this year.
Notable Quote (Tim Brent): We need to compete more on the road … it’s easier to play at home because you’ve got your fans behind you all the time. On the road, you’ve got to match the compete level of the home team because they’re playing hard in front of their home fans.â€
Head Coach Ron Wilson would like to insert Mike Brown and Brett Lebda back into the lineup, but both of those players will be game-time decisions. The Senators will send out goalie Brian Elliott tonight while Jonas Gustavsson continues to run with the Leafs’ starting job in the absence of Giguere. Ottawa will also swap in Matt Carkner in place of David Hale tonight on defense.
