Game-day Preview #36: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators
By Daniel Bruce
Ottawa looks to extend its winning streak to 3 games tonight when they host Toronto
20-10-2. 91. Leafs -280. 7 PM ET. 116. TSN. Thursday, March 25. 12-20-3
The Senators take on the top seeded Leafs tonight for the first time since their 4-3 victory on March 14th, the two teams have split the season series so far through 6 games and one will look to pull ahead tonight.
Player to Watch: Alex Formenton
Making his season debut in the Senators 3-1 victory against the Calgary Flames yesterday evening, Formenton finished the game with 10 minutes of ice-time and chipping in with 2 hits and 1 shot on net.
D.J. Smith also utilized Formenton on the penalty kill and obviously isn’t afraid to use the 21-year-old in defensive situations. Throughout his career in junior hockey and the AHL, Formenton was always relied upon for his defensive acumen alongside his other offensive skills and this shouldn’t change in the NHL, already making a few impact plays last night, one of which is shown below:
Nice job by Formenton defensively. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/TAVWH4prts
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) March 24, 2021
D.J. Smith had the following to say about Formenton in his pre-game availability:
"“Speed. Speed kills in this league, and he can fly. As his detail gets better he’s gonna be a really good NHL player. I wasn’t afraid to put him in defensive situations last night and I think his speed will be able to create some offence, not only now but for years to come”"
Like Smith noted “speed kills” and the ability Formenton has to open up the ice with his speed and putting the defending team on their heels. With Austin Watson sidelined for 4-6 weeks expect the possibility of Formenton staying up for the rest of the season, and likely the rest of his career.
News & Notes
The Senators made the following roster moves:
Roster update: The #Sens have made the following roster moves:
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) March 25, 2021
D Braydon Coburn has been recalled from the team's taxi squad.
LW Jack Kopacka has been re-assigned to @BellevilleSens while C Mark Kastelic has been recalled from Belleville and re-assigned to the taxi squad.
Braydon Coburn is expected to draw into the lineup on the third pairing alongside Josh Brown
Starting Goalies
Anton Forsberg
2020-21 Season Stats: N/A
Forsberg gets his first start of the season after Filip Gustavsson played last night and was given the night off. He appeared in 3 games last season for the Carolina Hurricanes and was claimed off waivers by Ottawa from Winnipeg.
Jack Campbell
2020-21 Season Stats: 4 GP, 4-0-0, 0.965 SV%, 1.00 GAA
After returning from an injury that sidelined Campbell for a little under a month, he’s been yet to yield a goal against in two starts, saving 61 shots total. He’s played one game versus the Senators so far this season, stopping 17/19 shots in a 3-2 Leafs win on January 16th.