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LGD – Leafs Travel To Ottawa for Home Game vs. Senators

By Justin Fisher

Nov 9, 2014, 14:42 ESTUpdated:

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As you’re probably aware, tonight’s contest is a make-up for the Wednesday, October 22nd game that was postponed due to the shootings at the Canadian National War Memorial and Parliament Hill.

It’ll be an odd situation, in that both teams will be on the latter half of a back-to-back. Last night, the Leafs beat the Rangers by a score of 5-4, while the Senators were downed by the Jets, 2-1 in shootout. The only players on the ice who won’t be gassed will likely be the goaltenders.

The Leafs and Senators are both impressively average this season. The Senators, with their 7-3-3 record, are 15th in the NHL, while the Leafs, 7-5-2, sit exactly one point behind them in 16th. See? Average.

Oh my God, I’m already bored.

The Leafs

No morning skates today, so no morning line rushes to confirm tonight’s lineup. Marlies captain Trevor Smith was recalled this morning, so it looks like Daniel Winnik won’t be returning to the lineup tonight. We currently expect Smith to be sitting tonight, but the Ottawa native may draw into the lineup at the expense of someone like Frattin or Leivo.

Projected Lines via DailyFaceoff.com

van Riemsdyk – Bozak – Kessel

Panik – Kadri – Clarkson

Komarov – Holland – Santorelli

Frattin – Carrick – Leivo

Phaneuf – Franson

Rielly – Polak

Gardiner – Robidas

The Senators

Bobby Ryan, Alex Chiasson and Chris Phillips are all game time decisions. We won’t know for sure until Senators coach Paul MacLean meets with the media later this afternoon.

Projected Lines via DailyFaceoff.com

MacArthur – Turris – Condra

Greening – Zibanejad – Michalek

Smith – Legwand – Neil

Hoffman – Lazar – Stone

Borowiecki – Karlsson

Cowen – Ceci

Wiercioch – Gryba

(Expected) Starting Goaltenders

What to Watch For

Phil Kessel has been hilariously good lately. He’s currently on a six game point streak, in which he’s scored four goals and 11 points.
We like to joke about the Leafs giving up a ton of shots (32.8 SA/GP), but the Senators are somehow even worse (35.6 SA/GP). The only team that gives up more shots than the Senators are the Sabres.
Leafs defenders will certainly need to contain Ottawa’s top scoring forward Clarke MacArthur (omg lol).
No but seriously, the Leafs do need to find a way to contain Erik Karlsson. He’s actually very good.