Maple Leafs at Senators
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs own a healthy cushion for the third and final playoff slot in the Atlantic Division, they are sliding in the wrong direction entering Saturday's matchup at the Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs (0-1-3) have lost four in a row overall and four straight to Ottawa, including a 4-3 setback to the Senators on Jan. 10.
Toronto surrendered a last-minute goal in an overtime loss to St. Louis on Tuesday before allowing two third-period goals in a 3-2 OT defeat at Philadelphia on Thursday. "We’re going through a spell where we’re not as good as we can be, let’s find a way to dig out," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “We’ve got to get our head right and compete.” Ottawa fell out of the playoff race after dropping 18 of 22 (4-14-4), but it has dominated provincial rival Toronto. The Senators have won nine of the last 10 against the Maple Leafs, scoring at least four goals in seven of those matchups.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, CITY, TVAS2
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (25-17-5): Goaltender Frederik Andersen blew a gasket after the latest defeat, questioning the team's "lack of effort" and telling the media that "we got to figure this out if we want to play any meaningful hockey later." Andersen has faced more than 100 shots on goal than all but one other netminder, including at least 30 in 11 straight starts. "He's absolutely within his right to be upset because we've left him out to dry too many times over this course of games," star forward Auston Matthews said.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (15-19-9): General manager Pierre Dorion continues to insist Ottawa can make a run at a playoff spot, but he is looking toward the future by telling young defenseman Thomas Chabot he will stick with the team the rest of the season. "What I like is that he hasn't regressed," coach Guy Boucher said. "He hasn't taken a step forward and then two back so that gives you the indication that his progression should continue." Matt Duchene collected an assist Thursday, giving him seven points in five games.
OVERTIME
1. Maple Leafs D Morgan Rielly is questionable after suffering an upper-body injury in Thursday's game.
2. Senators D Erik Karlsson has scored in one of the past 29 games and is mired in an 11-game drought.
3. Andersen has allowed nine goals in losing both starts to Ottawa this season.