Game 52 Preview and Open Thread: Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs

It seems like forever since the last time these two teams faced each other. Brady Tkachuk’s season-opening goal led to a fun first period of the season for D.J. Smith’s Ottawa Senators, but it was Mike Babcock’s (!) Leafs that came out victorious at the end of the evening.

A lot has happened since then, with a coaching change in Toronto and some different looking rosters for both teams due to injuries and call-ups. However, the high-flying Leafs currently find themselves in the same position as the bottom-feeding Senators: out of a playoff spot.

Here’s how we expect the Sens to line up as they hope to chip away at Toronto’s playoff chances:

Here’s what we’re expecting from Sheldon Keefe, who faces the Sens for the first time in his young career:

Game Notes:

• As Craig Anderson nears the end of his illustrious career, one of the games I’ll always remember is his Sens debut against the Leafs in their building. He’ll likely need to put on a similar performance for the Sens to have a chance in this one, especially coming off of a hard fought first leg of a back-to-back.
• Drake Batherson looked like the Sens best forward last night, and his line with Colin White and Tyler Ennis will be an interesting matchup for a Leafs team that’s been struggling with injuries on defence.
• What worked in the season opener is when the Sens were able to use their team speed to skate with the Leafs, and worked to chase pucks in the offensive zone. Connor Brown and Anthony Duclair will be pivotal on their lines to keep pucks in front of them so they aren’t chasing Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander.
• So far, the Sens have trended as a team who can allow quantity against (CA/60) but keep quality (xGA/60) at an average level. The Leafs are one of the few teams in the league that generate an above average number of both.
• The Panthers (Atlantic#3), Leafs (out), Canes (WC#2), and Flyers (out) are all tied with 61 points. Columbus (WC#1) and the Islanders (Metro#3) are just ahead with 62 and 63 points respectively. It’ll be interesting to watch what these teams do at the deadline to try and squeak in.
• On the flip-side, four of the league’s top-five teams in terms of standings points are in the East.

Here are tonight’s pregame stats, courtesy of NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick: