Pre-season game 1: Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs

Dear hockey,

I can hardly believe it's already been five months since we were last together. And although we didn't leave each other on the greatest terms in our last meeting, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to see you again. Or at least hear you, since you're not going to be on TV tonight for some unfortunate reason; it will just serve to make our first real meeting that much more intense.

Thank you for coming back to me.

Love,

Peter

Alright, for pre-realzies: Hockey starts tonight. And starts in earnest, with the Sens and Leafs facing off. None of Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher, Sergei Gonchar, Alex Kovalev, Chris Phillips, Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek, or Pascal Leclaire made the trip to Toronto, so look for rookies Bobby Butler, Mike Hoffman, and Roman Wick to lead the way for any offence the Senators might muster, and defencemen Jared Cowen, Chris Campoli, and the beloved Brian Lee to anchor the blue line.

Lineup, via Twitter (line combos may not be, and probably are not, right):

Forwards:

• Butler, Foligno, Hoffman
• Keller, Kelly, Locke
• Neil, Shannon, Zack Smith
• Spencer, Wick, Winchester

Defence:

• Benoit-Campoli
• Carkner-Cowen
• Hale-Lee

Goalies:

• Lehner (playing the whole game)
• Elliott

I'm excited.