Senators at Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs look to rebound after coughing up a two-goal lead - and a point - last time out when they host the struggling Ottawa Senators for an Atlantic Division matchup on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs were en route to a third straight win Monday before giving up a pair of goals in the final 4:35 of the third period and another in overtime for a 3-2 setback against Columbus.
“I didn’t think we sat on it, we outshot them 14-4 in the third,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock told reporters. “We did a lot of good things, but it’s all part of the learning process, understanding what it takes to win. You have to learn how hard it is to get points. That’s a free one we gave away.” Babcock stated his team will need to find a whole other level to have more success when they take on the Senators, who are coming off an embarrassing 8-2 home loss to Chicago on Tuesday. Ottawa had earned points in three straight games (2-0-1) but allowed five goals in the second period against the Blackhawks and four power-play tallies overall. “You just never want to play those types of games,” Senators leading scorer Mark Stone told the Ottawa Citizen. “It’s more frustrating right now. Again, we just keep putting ourselves in holes.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA
ABOUT THE SENATORS (14-18-9): Bobby Ryan, who has recorded 17 points in 32 games this season, suffered a hand injury in Tuesday’s setback and will not play against the Maple Leafs. Stone notched a goal and an assist in the loss and has registered eight of his team-high 42 points - 12 more than any other player on the team - in the last three contests. Derick Brassard also scored against Chicago, giving him four points in his last three games, but Ryan Dzingel - who netted three tallies over his previous three contests, was kept off the scoresheet.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (25-16-3): Frederik Andersen owns a .936 save percentage in four games this month and is on track to top his career high of 35 wins set in 2012-13 with Anaheim. “If he’s not our MVP, he’s right up there,” defenseman Ron Hainsey told reporters. “We have a chance to win every night, and I’d be here for a while (talking) about how well he’s played.” Auston Matthews has recorded six goals in eight games since returning from a concussion and leads the team with 33 points - two more than linemate William Nylander.
OVERTIME
1. The Senators have won eight of the last nine meetings, including a 6-3 home triumph on Oct. 21.
2. Toronto C Nazem Kadri has registered just one point - a goal - in his last 15 contests.
3. Ottawa has allowed 11 power-play goals in its last six games and is 1-for-15 with the man advantage over its last eight.