Game-day Preview #56: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators

The Battle of Ontario commences for game #56

The end is here, and it feels way too early. The way the Senators have played of late has made this an emotional goodbye, their young core had tremendous progression throughout the season and it felt like they were reaching their peak coming down the stretch.

The Maple Leafs have the upper hand on the season series with four wins in the first seven meetings, the Senators will look to go for the season split tonight, an impressive feat for the sickos.

Player to Watch: Parker Kelly

One of the more popular players in the Senators organization, Kelly has been a consummate pro throughout his time in the minors as everyone who’s been around him leaves with a good impression. However, this shouldn’t discount what he does on the ice either, as Kelly is a very effective two-way forward who isn’t afraid to be physical and skates like the wind.

Undrafted in 2017, Kelly was signed as a free agent by the Senators during that offseason and has since concluded a great junior career in Prince Albert plus a solid first two seasons in Belleville. Relied on heavily by Troy Mann in the defensive zone, on the penalty kill, and in late-game situations, it’s likely that he will fall into the good graces of D.J. Smith. The Senators bench boss had some high praise for the 21-year-old during his game-day presser:

Once the Senators become the contender they will eventually be, don’t be surprised to see Kelly patrolling the team’s fourth-line as the “energy guy”. He’s produced 12 points in 29 games with Belleville this season and while this is obviously not an eye-popping stat line, his game isn’t usually defined by the box score.

Parker Kelly is also a two-time recipient of the Jonathan Pitre Memorial Trophy which is given to the camp’s “hardest worker”, something that the Senators forward definitely embodies.

Cue the Parker Kelly solo lap!

News & Notes

• Expected Senators lineup:

• Anisimov is in for the injured Colin White, Logan Brown and Parker Kelly come in for Chris Tierney, and Ryan Dzingel
• Defensive pairings are expected to stay the same

Starting Goalies

Filip Gustavsson

2020-21 Season Stats: 8 GP, 4-1-2, 0.937 SV%, 2.04 GAA

One of the best stories of the Senators season has been the progression of their young goaltenders, especially Gustavsson. The 22-year-old netminder has been good in every appearance he’s made with the big club this season and is 100% deserving of a job with Ottawa next season.

Carrying a mini two-game winning streak heading into tonight and having stopped 55/58 shots in those games, Gustavsson should have the hot hand.

Fredrik Andersen

2020-21 Season Stats: 23 GP, 13-8-2, 0.897 SV%, 2.91 GAA

Andersen returns to the lineup after battling a lower-body injury that has kept him out of action since March 19th, a span of 23 games. The Herning, Denmark native hasn’t had great luck versus the Senators this season with just one win in four appearances.