Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators – Preview, Line Predictions and TV coverage information

The Maple Leafs look to improve their season series in their final game against the Ottawa Senators tonight at HNIC (7:00 p.m. EST, Sportsnet/HNIC).

With a 4-1-0 record in their last five games, the Leafs will look to keep the momentum going and keep some distance from the chasing pack below them in the standings. Their most recent win against arch-rivals the Dallas Stars was largely fueled by dominant play from the Leafs' top four forwards, with three goals including all five goals, although there were some encouraging signs in the fourth line. at various points in the night.

Despite another disappointing season for the Ottawa Senators, sitting in the basement of the Eastern Conference, this matchup is their playoff game and always seems to bring out their best. Ottawa will also look to extend their winning streak to three against the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings. However, this is Ottawa's first game since the All-Star break, which could offer the Leafs an opportunity to use up some rust, especially early in the game. A better start than the first period against Dallas is the priority for the Leafs tonight.

online, Martin Jones The Stars start the first goal since the break. Given Jones, that makes sense The emergence of the Leafs began in Ottawa with its third period relief Joseph Wall on December 7, when he sprained his leg and fell. Ilya Samsonov Dallas regressed a bit against the Stars, but it's also true that the team doesn't have a back for five more games, so keeping Jones' cobwebs is also an understandable call for Sheldon Keefe.

William LagessonHe has not appeared on the field since December 27 Mark GiordanoWednesday's game with a lower-body injury that is day-to-day. Conor Timmins also unavailable due to illness.

Ottawa will be without their young star point guard, Jake Sanderson, as he is day-to-day with an injury. Joonas Korpisalo is expected to start the game for the Senators.

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Game Day Quotes

Sheldon Keefe on the issue presented by the senators:

The most important thing is to play well in our game and build on the good things we did last night to beat a really good Dallas team.

This Ottawa team focuses on the offense that can get you through the lineup and defense. We have to defend hard and play in their half.

Really, it's about our game coming together.

Keefe on whether his team has an advantage with the Senators coming off a bye week:

We will see. There's always a debate, right? Anti rust, and all that stuff. We went through the break, but we also played with an opponent coming out of the break. It's a must see.

One thing we do know is that anytime we go to Ottawa, we're going to get their best game. We expect nothing more.

Keefe decided to start Martin Jones:

Jonesy has been playing really well for us, so we've got to keep him in the mix and keep him going.

At the same time, it allows Samsonov to practice for a day or two. He and Jones skated yesterday after not skating in an outdoor practice. They had a good day of work with Curtis Sanford, and today was another good day for Sammy.

Jones leaves. He did a great job for us and got us through a tough time. He should be here now, especially since we're still waiting for Joe Wall to return. We have to use two guys.

Keefe on William Lagesson's expectations for his return to the lineup:

It is only to do the work it did when it came before. When you haven't played for a while, you'll need to make things even easier, but it still plays a simple game as is.

Just protect our feet and move the puck up the ice. He worked very hard and was very patient. Because of his performance, we are sure of him. He beat us when we were injured defensively, like Jones was injured in goal. He did a great job for us.

He should feel really good about it, just go in with a clear mind and let it fly.

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Head-to-head stats: Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

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The designed lines of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Forwards
#23 Matthew Knize vs. #34 Auston Matthews vs. #16 Mitch Marner
#59 Tyler Bertuzzi vs. #91 John Tavares vs. #88 William Nylander
#18 Noah Gregor vs. #11 Max Domi vs. #89 Nick Robertson
#74 Bobby McMann vs. #29 Pontus Holmberg vs. #75 Ryan Reeves

Defenders
#44 Morgan Rielly vs. #78 TJ Brodie
#2 Simon Benoit vs. #22 Jake McCabe
#85 William Lagesson vs. #37 Timothy Liljegren

Goalkeepers
Starter: #31 Martin Jones
#35 Ilya Samsonov

is drawn: Maxime Lajoie, Conor Timmins, Mark Giordano
Injured: John Klingberg, David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Joseph Wall

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Ottawa Senators Projected Lines

Forwards
#7 Brady Tkachuk vs. #9 Josh Norris vs. #19 Drake Batterson
#21 Mathieu Joseph – #18 Tim Stutzl – #28 Claude Giroux
#71 Ridley Grade vs. #57 Shane Pinto vs. #91 Vladimir Tarasenko
#81 Dominic Kubalik vs. #12 Mark Kastelic vs. #27 Parker Kelly

Defenders
#72 Thomas Chabot – #2 Artem Zub
#6 Jakob Chychrun vs. #24 Jacob Bernard-Docker
#26 Erik Brannstrom vs. #23 Travis Hamonic

Goalkeepers
Starter: #70 Joonas Korpisalo
#30 Kevin Mandoles

Injured/Out: Anton Forsberg, Jake Sanderson