The Maple Leafs will need to put forth a better effort against the division and provincial rival Ottawa Senators than they have put forth in their first two outings this season.
Toronto was fortunate in the previous contest at the ACC in mid-February, as they were outplayed by the injury riddled Sens throughout most of the game, but earned a 3-0 victory mostly on the strength of Ben Scrivens, who registered first career NHL shutout.
A week later, the Sens were even more short-handed when Toronto visited Scotiabank Place, with goalie Craig Anderson joining the injured list that included Jared Cowan, Guillaume Latendresse, Peter Regin, Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson, but Ottawa coach Paul MacLean pieced together a lineup and took advantage of Randy Carlyle’s miscue in not getting faceoff specialist Tyler Bozak and Dion Phaneuf on the ice in the final minute, which led a Sens win courtesy of Colin Greening’s goal with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.
Ottawa has begun to feel the absence of their key offensive contributors, having scored only four goals in the last three games, all of which have been losses (two in shootouts), but will be getting winger Milan Michalek tonight after a 10 game absence.
Ben Bishop, who has aptly filled in with Anderson out of the lineup and made 26 saves in the win over the Leafs will make his sixth start of the season.
The Leafs were unable to put together a complete 60 minute efforts in their last two victories, but fortunately they faced the perpetually mediocre New York Islanders and the struggling New Jersey Devils. Toronto lead 4-2 after forty minutes on Long Island last Thursday and surrendered two third period goals before winning on Dion Phaneuf’s goal in overtime. On Monday, the Blue and White reversed the blueprint by slumbering through the first two periods before finally awakening in the final period with three goals to win 4-2.
James Reimer showed no rust or ill effects from the knee strain that kept him out for most of February in his 28 save effort against New Jersey and will make his third straight start for Toronto tonight. His career numbers against Ottawa are 5-1-1, with a 1.70 GAA, .943 save percentage and two shutouts.
Carlyle will dress the same lineup that played on Monday, as winger Matt Frattin is not completely ready to expose his surgically repaired knee to game action just yet.
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With an eye towards securing some depth on the blueline for the future, the Leafs announced the signing of defenseman Korbinian Holzer to a two year, $1.575 Million contract yesterday. The deal is one-way, with Holzer earning $725,000 in 2013-14 and $850,000 in 2014-15.
Holzer has two goals in 16 games for Toronto and has been solid presence on the blueline, clearing the front of the net and using his size to prevent opposing forwards from causing interference in front of the Leafs net.
The signing of the German born blueliner was proactive on the part of Leafs GM Dave Nonis, who has Carl Gunnarsson, Cody Franson, Mike Kostka and Mark Fraser scheduled to become restricted or unrestricted free agents at the end of this season. Holzer seems to fit well with Carlyle’s penchant for big, tough defensemen and the economical price tag enables Toronto to spend more money elsewhere.
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