Matthews-OTT 3-16

MAPLE LEAFS (43-23-5) at SENATORS (24-41-6)
7 p.m. ET; CBC, SN1, SNO, TVAS2, NHL.TV

The Maple Leafs, 7-3-1 in their past 11 games, are two points behind the Boston Bruins, who host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Goalie Garret Sparks could start for Toronto after Frederik Andersen made 23 saves in a 7-6 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. Sparks is 7-6-1 with a 3.04 goals-against average in 16 games (13 starts) this season.
The Senators, who have been eliminated from playoff contention and have a League-low 54 points, are 2-10-1 in their past 13 games. Goalie Anders Nilsson will start.

Players to watch

Maple Leafs center John Tavares needs one goal to become the third player to score 40 goals in his first season with Toronto. He would join Eddie Olczyk (42 goals in 1987-88) and Auston Matthews (40 in 2016-17).
Senators forward Bobby Ryan has not scored a goal in his past 12 games.

They said it

"[Forward William Nylander] is playing great. I think we've kind of rekindled that chemistry that we've had our first two years playing together. [Forward Andreas Johnsson] has been a really nice addition just because he works so hard, he's so good at getting under guys, even in front of the net for a small guy, he's not afraid to go into corners and battle and come out with pucks." -- Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews on his line's recent success
"If you're going to play a trade-chances game, then that's not in our best interest. We have to be a team that really works for our chances, that surrounds the pucks, that supports the puck and that makes supporting plays in the offensive zone. And if we do that, that's where we're at our best." -- Senators coach Marc Crawford

Maple Leafs projected lineup

Andreas Johnsson -- Auston Matthews -- William Nylander
Zach Hyman -- John Tavares -- Mitchell Marner
Patrick Marleau -- Nazem Kadri -- Connor Brown
Tyler Ennis -- Frederik Gauthier --
Trevor Moore
Morgan Rielly -- Ron Hainsey
Jake Muzzin -- Nikita Zaitsev
Martin Marincin -- Justin Holl
Garret Sparks
Frederik Andersen
Scratched: Nic Petan, Igor Ozhiganov
Injured: Jake Gardiner (back), Travis Dermott (shoulder), Kasperi Kapanen (concussion)

Senators projected lineup
Status report

There is no timetable for White's return.

Stat pack

Tavares, who has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his past six games, is two points shy of 700 in the NHL … Matthews has five points (four goals, one assist) in a three-game goal/point streak.