Game 48 Hub: Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs

The double-edged sword of a break right after a win is that while it leaves you feeling good about your team for some time, it also potentially breaks the forward momentum. And the Ottawa Senators need all the momentum they can get right now, as a miracle playoff run is the only thing that can make the 2023-24 season a successful one.

That may be harsh, but it's true. You sign a 34-year-old Claude Giroux to a 3-year deal expecting to watch him in the playoffs for at least two of those years.

That said, 6-2-2 in the last 10 games, and 4-1-1 in the Pintocalypse is a major step in the right direction. Tonight's return to action after an extended All-Star break will see the fourth edition of the Battle of Ontario, with the Sens holding a 2-1 edge so far.

Expect Joonas Korpisalo to start tonight with Kevin Mandolese backing up, as Anton Forsberg is still on LTIR. Jake Sanderson is also still nursing an injury he suffered before the break, so we'll see Travis Hamonic draw back into the lineup.

Here are the projected lines:

Tonight's game starts at 7:00 pm EST and is available on CBC, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, and TSN 1200.

Stats: