Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs – Game 81 Preview
The Ottawa Senators host their final home game of the season, against one of their biggest rivals. Although neither team is post-season bound, there is still something to play for
(38-35-8, 84 pts) T-5th Atlantic Division
VS
(35-31-14, 84 pts) T-5th Atlantic Division
7:00 PM
Canadian Tire Centre
TV: CBC; RADIO: TSN1200
MATCHUP HISTORY
These longtime rivals have met 3 times already this season. The Leafs have swept the three games played so far, the first two by shootout and then they put the wood to the Senators to the tune of a 6-3 win in February.
Feb 1, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) tries to wrap the puck around the net as Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) guards the net and defenseman Cody Ceci (5) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
LAST GAMES
Ottawa survived a 2-1 shootout win against the Devils on Thursday, while the Leafs fell 4-2 to the lowly Florida Panthers.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Phil Kessel, TOR – The Leafs sniper has 7 points in the 3 games so far against the Senators. He is 2 points shy of his second 82 point season, and has played in every game for the past 4 years. Kessel is 6th in league scoring.
Jason Spezza, OTT – Rumors will circulate around Spezza as soon as the season is over. Health, leadership, contract will all play a part in whether or not he is a member of the Senators next season. He has a goal and two assists in 3 games this season against Toronto, tied in points with 4 other Sens.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1. Bragging Rights – The Leafs and Sens are tied in points, and a win for Ottawa would guarantee a finish ahead of Toronto even before the Senators play their last game in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
2. However… – If the Senators do finish ahead of Toronto, they will inadvertently be helping their rival get a better draft pick.
3. Vengeance – Although I am not a believer that winning this game in any manner makes up for what happened in the last game, the Senators will want to avenge a third period meltdown (where have we heard that before) that saw them lose a game 6-3 that was tied with 6 minutes left.