GDT: Senators at Maple Leafs (7 p.m., CBC)

by Declan Kerin on October 8, 2011 in Game Day - 769 Comments

Photo: Daylife.com

After receiving a superb outing from James Reimer in the season opener, the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to ride the young goaltender to a 2-0 start when they host the Ottawa Senators tonight at Air Canada Centre.

Reimer, who had an impressive rookie season with the Maple Leafs last season, made 32 saves on Thursday to help Toronto notch a 2-0 shutout victory over the visiting Montreal Canadiens. It was the third straight year the NHL’s oldest rivals played each other to open the season and the Maple Leafs have won the last two.

Both teams will be hoping they can reinvigorate the Battle of Ontario, while seeming to be headed in opposite directions  with their team rebuilding processes.

Ottawa had a tough first outing against the perrenial contenders, the Detroit Red Wings. The were handly beat 5-3 in a decidedly one sided affair. They will need a strong outing from goaltender Craig Anderson if they are to be able to compete with the Maple Leafs who are showing that team speed will be their defining trait on their road back to respectability.

Expect a tight checking affair to the opening frame. Ottawa is a “trapping team” that will try to slow down Toronto’s fast neutral zone speed and quick transition game.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Wilson’s game day presser:

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