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Saturday NHL preview: Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
By Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter
Fri., Oct. 5, 2018
SCOTIABANK ARENA
FACEOFF: 7 p.m.
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Cody Ceci, Craig Anderson and the Senators hope to keep the Maple Leafs in check on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. (Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo)
TV: 7 p.m. (Sportsnet/CBC)
RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
KEY PLAYERS
Anderson/Matthews
Senators goalie Craig Anderson is one of several veterans being called upon to step it up this season. Anderson went 25-11-4 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .926 save percentage when the Senators went to the Eastern Conference final two seasons ago. Last season: 23-25-6, 3.22, .898 … Leafs centre Auston Matthews fired a pair of goals in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Canadiens, launching a season with 50-goal potential.
NEED TO KNOW
The Senators lost their season opener 4-3 to the Blackhawks in overtime on Thursday. Afterwards, coach Guy Boucher indicated he would break up the top defensive pairing of Mark Borowiecki and Cody Ceci, who had a rough night … Senators first-round pick Brady Tkachuk is day-to-day with a groin injury, as is teammate Max McCormick … After finishing 25th in the NHL in total goals with 219 last season, they traded away Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman, who combined for 31 goals and 118 points. They’ll need Mikkel Boedker and Chris Tierney – acquired from the Sharks for Karlsson — to help fill that gap. A rebound by Bobby Ryan, a six-time 20-goal scorer who slumped to 11 last season, would also help … Star forwards Matt Duchene and Mark Stone combined for 43 goals last season and are playing for new contracts.
UP NEXT Sunday at Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
Game Day: Senators at Maple Leafs
Lance HornbyMore from Lance Hornby
OTTAWA SENATORS at TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Saturday, 7 p.m., Scotiabank Arena
TV: CBC; Radio: 590 AM
THE BIG MATCH-UP
C Matt Duchene vs. C Auston Matthews
The Canadiens showed that by getting on top of the Leafs early, they can make it harder for its trio of top-flight centres to get organized and do damage at the other end. Matthews eventually broke out with two goals, including the overtime winner, but Duchene will be looking for a big night in front of family, getting an assist in Ottawa’s season opener.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
First-period push
The Sens perhaps even surprised themselves with three first-period goals against the Chicago Blackhawks before the inevitable crash. Eventually outshot 43-25 in an overtime loss, they will be challenged to survive the first 10 minutes on the road and settle in. Injured forward Brady Tkachuk is not expected to play.
Cycle to work
The Leafs got a major lecture from head coach Mike Babcock on Friday about getting pucks into better spots and improving their forecheck and general offensive zone play. With last line change, that aspect should improve.
Third and goal
Though they didn’t score 5-on-5 Wednesday, Toronto’s third line of Josh Leivo, Nazem Kadri, and Connor Brown had some of the club’s best chances. They might also get some favourable matchups as the night progresses.
Keep it clean
It’s supposed to be intense when the Battle of Ontario is in session, but the Sens can’t push the envelope and give Toronto’s power play many opportunities, even if there are still kinks to work out with all that first-unit fire power.
Max-imum joy
In need of some feel-good stories this season, the Sens got one from Max Lajoie on Thursday, a goal and assist in the defenceman’s NHL debut. They hope his exuberance is contagious.
LEAFS GAMEDAY LINES
LW C RW
Patrick Marleau Auston Matthews Tyler Ennis
Zach Hyman John Tavares Mitch Marner
Josh Leivo Nazem Kadri Connor Brown
Andreas Johnsson Par Lindholm Kasperi Kapanen
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Morgan Rielly Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott Igor Ozhiganov
GOALIES
Frederik Andersen
Garret Sparks
SENATORS GAME DAY LINES
LW C RW
Ryan Dzingel Matt Duchene Bobby Ryan
Zack Smith Colin White Mark Stone
Alex Formenton Chris Tierney Mikkel Boedker
Magnus Paajarvi Tom Pyatt Paul Carey
DEFENCE PAIRINGS
Max Lajoie Cody Ceci
Mark Borowiecki Chris Wideman
Thomas Chabot Dylan DeMelo
GOAL
Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
SICK BAY
Maple Leafs: None
Senators: RW Brady Tkachuk (groin); LW Max McCormick (groin); C Jean-Gabriel Pageau (achilles tendon)
SPECIAL TEAMS
LEAFS: PP 33.3% (T-4th), PK 75.0% (T-15th)
SENS: PP 33.3% (T-4th), PK 100.0% (T-1st)
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