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Game-day Preview #31: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators

By Daniel Bruce

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 24: Matthew Peca #53 of the Ottawa Senators shoots the puck past Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the game on February 24, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Ottawa 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 24: Matthew Peca #53 of the Ottawa Senators shoots the puck past Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the game on February 24, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Ottawa 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Matthew Peca #53 of the Ottawa Senators (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Matthew Peca #53 of the Ottawa Senators (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Ottawa starts a 6-game home stand tonight versus Toronto, who is tops in the North Division

9-20-1. Leafs -230. 7 PM ET. 19-8-2. 116. Sportsnet. Sunday, March 14. 91

A battle of two teams in the midsts of losing streaks; the Senators have hit yet another losing skid in the early season having lost 5 of their last 6 games, while the Maple Leafs have lost 4 of their last 5.

The Senators are currently trailing the Maple Leafs in the season series as they’ve only won 2 out of the 5 meetings so far this season.

Player to Watch: Matthew Peca

Update: Peca Scratched, White in

Positioned in the center of the team’s two budding stars Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson, Peca gets off the 4th line and has earned himself a promotion.

Peca is slight of stature at just 5’9″ and 183 pounds, but that doesn’t deter the relentless forward from getting involved in physical battles. Stuck with slower centremen for the majority of the season with Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov, Batherson and Stützle were being limited in their abilities by their veteran centre, but now with the fleet-footed Peca, they should be plenty dynamic.

So far this season Peca has spent most of his time on the Taxi-Squad but has suited up for a handful of games on the bottom line, adding one assist in his limited time.

News & Notes

  • Colin White remains out with a lower body injury and is still listed as “day-to-day”
  • After a strong performance on Friday versus Edmonton, Christian Wolanin will remain on the 3rd pairing for Erik Brannstrom
  • Clark Bishop steps into the lineup once again after his first game of the season in Edmonton Friday

Starting Goalies

Matt Murray

Update: Murray injured in warmup, Daccord starts

2020-21 Season Stats: 22 GP, 7-12-1, 0.880 SV%, 3.84 GAA

Murray has continued with his inconsistent play as he was lit up in his last start versus Edmonton on Wednesday, conceding 7 goals on 36 shots.

The 26-year-old net-minder has won only 1 of his 4 starts versus the Maple Leafs so far this season, yielding 3+ goals in 3 of those 4 games.

Michael Hutchinson

2020-21 Season Stats: 5GP, 3-2-1, 0.934 SV%, 2.03 GAA

Hutchinson has broken out as the Maple Leafs primary backup to Fredrik Andersen due to his fantastic play so far this season. The journeyman goaltender had success in his one start versus the Senators this season, stopping 34/37 shots in a 7-3 win on February 18th.

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