Ottawa Senators Host Rival Toronto Maple Leafs

The Ottawa Senators are hoping to head into the All-Star break with a win, rather than a three game losing streak.

Toronto Maple Leafs (22-22-3)

VS

Ottawa Senators (18-18-9)

7:00 PM

Canadian Tire Centre

TV: Rogers Sportsnet

MATCHUP HISTORY

Tonight will be the second of five games between these two teams. The Maple Leafs won the first meeting 5-3. The Maple Leafs scored three straight after being 3-2. Ottawa has a history of having difficulty winning against the Leafs no matter how far apart in the standings they may be.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Phil Kessel, TOR – Phil Kessel is a lot of things. Inconsistent, hot headed, but he’s also very good at scoring. Year after year we find him up there in goals, and no one can figure out why. He can be dangerous against the Senators, if he decides to play of course.

Mark Stone, OTT – He’s on a six game point streak, and doesn’t look like he’ll be slowing down. I’d say he should be back with Kule Turris and Clarke MacArthur by now, but something seems to be clicking with his current linemates.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Play well defensively – While this should be something they have to do every game, Craig Anderson is in net after the New York Rangers less than twenty-four hours ago. The Senators need to do their best to cut down the Maple Leafs’ shots.

2. Be smart – There’s going to some points in the game where it gets pretty rough, that’s just how it works when the Senators and Maple Leafs play each other. The Senators can’t get retaliation penalties. They need to let the Maple Leafs bring themselves down if they plan on getting overly physical.

3. Keep their eyes on the ice – We don’t want them tripping on any Leafs jerseys.