Senators late rally falls just short in the Battle of Ontario

It's time for the second edition of the Battle of Ontario, but this time at our house! Get your tickets here!

We should be in for a treat as the Senators get a chance to put their stamp on this provincial rivalry at home after claiming the first meeting 6-3 on November 8th. After a back and forth battle that saw the game tied, 1-1, 2-2, and 3-3 the Senators were able to pull ahead and never look back after Dominik Kubalik, Claude Giroux and Tim Stützle all scored in a 3:11 window in the third to put the final nail in the coffin.

Toronto enters this battle having gotten points in all but one game since the last time these two saw each other. However, they have not been winning by wide margins along the way. In their last nine games Toronto has needed to go to overtime three times and to a shoot out three times going 6-1-2 along the way. Their big four of William Nylander, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares have all had blistering starts to the season with 29, 25, 24, and 21 points respectively. As always with this group the key will be slowing down that core.

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The Senators come into this one riding the high of back-to-back wins at home including a massive 6-2 win over the New York Rangers who were the top team in the league at the time. The key strength to this Senators group has been the sheer depth of scoring threats. In 20 games the team already has 10 skaters with four or more goals, led by Brady Tkachuk with 13 goals, on pace for 53 this season.

After back-to-back strong showings on the penalty kill, the Senators will look to play a clean game and when they get caught in the box turn to their PK unit to keep Toronto's big guns in check. Expect a battle right to the end tonight!

By the numbers

For the third straight game Anton Forsberg gets the nod to mind the net.

The Battle of Ontario is underway at Canadian Tire Centre!

Penalty: Ridly Greig is called for boarding at the 17:25 mark of the period. Toronto has first try on the man advantage.

Sens walk away from their first penalty no issue.

Goal: Josh Norris opens the scoring with 27 seconds left in the period! 1-0 Sens.

Goal: Mitch Marner gets free in open ice to open the second period scoring at the 1:42 mark to draw the game even at one a piece.

Goal: David Kampf scores with 2:20 to play in the second and Toronto gets their first lead of the game. 2-1 Toronto

Penalty: Connor Timmins is called for tripping with 29 seconds left in the period. Ottawa gets their first try on the power play.

Toronto kills off the remainder of their penalty to start the third period, back to even strength.

Goal: Calle Jarnkrok pots a wrister at the 3:35 mark to give Toronto a 3-1 lead.

Goal: Jacob Bernard-Docker pots his first career NHL goal on a slap shot from just inside the blue line to make it a one-goal game. 3-2 Toronto

Goal: William Nylander gets his first of the night to make it 4-2 Toronto with 6:57 to play. 

Goal: Ottawa empties the net and Claude Giroux buries the feed from Jake Sanderson to make it a one goal game.

Penalty: Benoit is called High sticking with 50 seconds left. Ottawa has the man advantage late.

The Sens get a few good looks but this ones comes to a close 4-3 Toronto.

Watch the full recap: