If we assume the fourth overall pick is secure, this is an opportunity to play spoiler. The Leafs usually beat the Sens regardless of the circumstances going in, and dealing a death blow to their playoff hopes might be good for a laugh. At the same time, that only helps the Boston Bruins’ cause. That said, the Penguins slump has put some interesting possibilities into play as far as the final two wildcard positions are concerned. Come the end of this week, three of Detroit, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Boston will make it and one will miss.
Ottawa Senators Projected Lines
Clarke MacArthur– Kyle Turris – Mark Stone
Zack Smith – Mika Zibanejad – Bobby Ryan
Erik Condra – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Curtis Lazar
Mike Hoffman – David Legwand – Alex Chiasson
Marc Methot – Erik Karlsson
Patrick Wiercioch- Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki – Eric Gryba
Andrew Hammond
Craig Anderson
Scratched: Colin Greening, Jared Cowen
Injured: Robin Lehner (concussion), Chris Phillips (back), Chris Neil (thumb), Milan Michalek (upper body), Matt Puempel (ankle)
Maple Leafs Projected Lines
James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Leo Komarov – Nazem Kadri – Joakim Lindstrom
David Booth – Trevor Smith – Joffrey Lupul
Casey Bailey – Zach Sill – Richard Panik
Eric Brewer – Dion Phaneuf
Jake Gardiner – Morgan Rielly
Tim Erixon – TJ Brennan
Jonathan Bernier
James Reimer
Scratched: Brandon Kozun
Injured: Peter Holland (lower body), Nathan Horton (back), Stephane Robidas (shoulder), Roman Polak (sports hernia)
Status report: The Senators are expected to go with the same lineup they have used in their past four games. … The Maple Leafs may insert Kozun into the lineup. If he plays, Bailey would likely be scratched. (NHL.com)
Who’s hot: Van Riemsdyk has scored in back-to-back games for the Maple Leafs and has five points in the past four games. …. Rielly has four points in the past four games for Toronto. … Turris has a goal and three points in two games for the Senators. … After losing his only game in regulation the NHL on March 26, Hammond has bounced back with three straight victories. (NHL.com)
