The Toronto Maple Leafs finish off a brief two-game homestand before taking to the road against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The Leafs look to notch a second straight victory against an Atlantic Division foe before heading out on a four-game road swing.
The Sens are expected to be an Eastern Conference bottom dweller following the departure of winger Mike Hoffman and Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and lost 4-3 in overtime to Chicago in their season opener on Thursday. Craig Anderson is expected to be in goal for Ottawa on Saturday, but 2018 first round pick Brady Tkachuk (groin injury) will not play.
Toronto will not make any lineup changes from Wednesday, as goalie Frederik Andersen will be between the pipes in the first of back-to-back games and Garret Sparks will get the start in Chicago on Sunday.
The Leafs are hoping to take advantage of what appears to an easy schedule to start the season, not only to get off to a good start, but to provide some additional leverage in negotiations with William Nylander. After back-to-back games against the Sens and Hawks, Toronto will head to Dallas to take on the Stars on Tuesday, will face the rebuilding Red Wings in Detroit on Thursday, before taking on the Stanley Cup champion Capitals in Washington next Saturday.
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Center Nazem Kadri (who celebrates his 28th birthday on Saturday) was used slightly differently in the season opener, not drawing as much of the shutdown role as he was used by Mike Babcock last season, and drawing occasional shifts on the wing with John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
“I’m not going to (use him in that role) for a bit. I’m going to do it eventually.” Babcock said after the morning skate on Saturday. “(Kadri) had a different type of line than he had this year, and that reflects on (his usage) as well. We are trying to get our people on the ice as much as we possibly can, and see them in all situations. Naz played a fair bit of wing last game and will after speciality teams, to get his minutes to a level that’s good for him.”
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The number 3 has been a hot potato since the departure of former Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf over two years ago. It was given to Alexei Marchenko after being claimed by Toronto from Detroit in February 2017, Travis Dermott was assigned it when called up last January but he was reassigned #23 a few days later and Justin Holl wore it for his two-game stint last season.
After wearing #54 in training camp and exhibition games last month, Holl has switched back to #3, although he was still wearing his high number on his helmet at the morning skate on Saturday. As for when we see Holl with his new number in the lineup, that is anyone’s guess.
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