Game Day Notes: Game #52 - Sens @ Maple Leafs
by Craig Medaglia @craigmedaglia / Ottawa Senators
The Sens are in Toronto for tonight's 7 p.m. start against the Maple Leafs and we've got all the latest pre-game news and notes to get you to puck drop...
Projected line-up
Sens head coach D.J. Smith met with the media in Toronto late this afternoon and confirmed that he'll stick with the same forwards and defence as last night's 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. Smith, who was an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs from 2015-2019, shared that his preparation for this game had more of an internal focus as he looks to push his team to improve down the stretch.
"For us, it's all about what we do every day," said the coach. "We have to continue to get better, we have to make sure that we're better at the end of the year than we were at the start so I'm more worried about our guys than them."
Another ex-Maple Leaf will be looking to extend his current scoring-streak against his former team tonight as Tyler Ennis has points in his last 4 games (2G, 3A over that span). Ennis has been an offensive spark for the Senators this season and sits tied for 4th in team scoring (with Thomas Chabot) and has recorded 30 points (13G, 17A) in 51 games with Ottawa.
Here's a look at the Sens' projected line-up tonight against the Maple Leafs:
Tkachuk - Pageau - Brown
Namestnikov - Tierney - Duclair
Ennis - White - Batherson
Chlapik - Anisimov - Sabourin
Chabot - Hainsey
Borowiecki - DeMelo
Reilly - Zaitsev
In goal
Craig Anderson (7-12-1) gets the call in net tonight against the Maple Leafs and is looking to build off of a solid 28-save victory against the Buffalo Sabres earlier this week. Anderson has performed well in Toronto during his time with the Senators holding a 7-4-2 record and .908 SV% in 15 road starts in the Battle of Ontario.
Previous meeting
These teams last met way back in early October in each team's season opener where the Maple Leafs earned a 5-3 decision to kick off 2019-20. Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring for the Sens that night but a 4-goal second period from Toronto was too much to overcome. Scott Sabourin and Bobby Ryan each added goals in defeat while Anderson was tested early and often, facing 42 shots in the first game of the season.
Full highlights from that game below...
Video: OTT Recap: Tkachuk scores in season-opening loss
Where to watch
It's a 7 p.m. start in Toronto tonight and here's how you can catch all the action between the Sens and Leafs...
BROADCAST: CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS
RADIO: TSN 1200, 94,5 Unique FM
Sens fans in Pembroke! We're bringing our Molson Canadian Watch Party to your Boston Pizza (1108B Pembroke St. E) where they'll be serving up 21 oz of Boston Size Molson Canadian Draft for $8.39 (plus tax) and giving out some sweet swag and prizes during the game.
To find out where our next watch party will be and specials you can enjoy, visit the full schedule click here.