The Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-2) face off against the Ottawa Senators (7-3-3) in a makeup game that was rescheduled after the tragic shooting in the nation’s capital on October 22nd.
Two division and provincial rivals separated by a point — and a place in the standings – renew hostilities tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre.
- Both teams are playing the second game in under 24 hours. A shootout loss for the Sens to the Jets, a regulation win for the Leafs over the Rangers.
- Bobby Ryan is a game time decision but could be back in the lineup after missing Saturday’s game with an injury.
- Trevor Smith was recalled and may draw in on the fourth line in the place of Josh Leivo or Matt Frattin.
The Maple Leafs won the first three games between the Atlantic Division rivals last season, including two by shootout. Phil Kessel is a Senator killer; last season, in 4 games versus the Ottawa Senators, Phil Kessel had 7 points —4 goals and 3 assists. His career stats versus Ottawa: 46GP, 25g, 21a for 46pts.
Taking it further back, the Leafs have won seven of their last eight against Ottawa, with the lone loss being the meaningless 1-0 defeat in the season finale last April. James Reimer was in net for all seven wins and will be between the pipes tonight.
JvR has 10 points in those seven games and Nazem Kadri has 12 points in his last 8 games against the Sens. The other Sen slayer has been Reimer, who has a scintillating 7-1-0 record with a 1.12 goals against and .971 save percentage lifetime against Ottawa. His .925 save percentage on the season—while remaining in the hearts of many Leaf fans the #1 goalie on the team—is moving him closer to the #1 goalie in the minds of the coaching staff. He has performed better this season than Jonathan Bernier and is now looking to take the ball and run with it. A big win over perennial Stanley Cup contenders, the Chicago Blackhawks, if followed up with a win over provincial rivals, could cement the net as being his for the near future.
Anyone following the Leafs closely is aware that Kessel is tied for 3rd in the league in points. He had a power-play goal in Saturday’s win and has 4 goals and 7 assists in an ongoing six-game point streak. He was skating the best he has this season last night and that bodes well for this back-to-back. Carlyle managed his minutes versus the Rangers with tonight’s game in mind, keeping him in the 17-minute range.
The Senators enter the game undefeated in regulation at the Canadian Tire Centre this season (4-0-3).
Projected Lineups
