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Gameday: Battle of Ontario Clouded By Trade Rumors

January 17, 2012, 11:52 AM ET [184 Comments]
Travis Yost
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The Ottawa Senators are coming off one of their most disheartening and disappointing losses in the season, yet have surged near the top of the Eastern Conference with a 25-16-6 record. The Toronto Maple Leafs are just outside of the top-eight, and are allegedly considering the healthy scratching of both young talents Nazem Kadri and Luke Schenn in preparation for tonight's game.

Yep, just another day in the Battle of Ontario.

Moves were expected by both provincial rivals on Tuesday morning, but moreso on the Ottawa side than the Toronto one. The Senators are gearing up for a lengthy road-trip that starts in Toronto tonight, then heads out west for battles against San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

As such, Ottawa went to the bullpen to call-up two young players, both of whom could see their first NHL action on the trip. Mark Borowiecki - a strong, defensive-minded defenseman - and Andre Petersson - a slick scoring talent - were both given the nod. Borowiecki's addition has a lot to do with Brian Lee's recent lower-body injury, and Petersson's addition might be Ottawa opting to carry an extra forward body on a long road swing.

In Toronto, the bold morning moves have surely fired up the trade rumors, with two of the more prized possessions in the Toronto Maple Leafs system both rumored as healthy scratches entering a pivotal game. Luke Schenn's potential removal from the lineup could've been based on his lackluster play all season long, but the addition of Nazem Kadri to the press box is sure to fire up what many have already been thinking; they're part of a package for an impact player. If Schenn does make it into tonight's lineup, then expect Mike Komisarek to draw out. Ron Wilson's remaining tight-lipped, but it appears Jake Gardiner's inclusion to the defensive corps is a certainty.

Still, no official word yet on the Toronto trade front (although TSN's Bob McKenzie has opined that a trade isn't impending), but when you're even considering a swap of Nazem Kadri and all-world talent Jay Rosehill, it's fair to make an assumption or two.

As for tonight's game, the lineups are kind of a mix-and-match, with Toronto juggling lines -especially on the blue line - and Ottawa on the second-half of a back-to-back. At best, the situation remains tenuous on both sides.

The only certainty tonight appears to be between the pipes, where James Reimer and Craig Anderson will start for their respective teams. Reimer's been in a bit of a sophomore slump this season, with a 7-4-4 record, .900 save percentage, and 3.01 GAA. Anderson's early-season woes have officially been erased, as his recent play has made him the best player for Ottawa almost every single night. His splits: 23-13-4, .908 save percentage, and a 2.94 GAA.

Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET. Inhale, exhale. It's a big one in Ontario - let's hope we make it there in one piece.

Ottawa Senators
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-Butler

Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Carkner

Toronto Maple Leafs - unconfirmed
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Crabb-Grabovski-Kulemin
Lombardi-Connolly-MacArthur
Rosehill-Steckel-Brown

Aulie-Phaneuf
Gunnarsson-Schenn(?)
Gardiner-Franson

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