The Senators head to Toronto for the first Battle of Ontario of the year.
The set-up
The Senators travel to Toronto for the first Battle of Ontario of the season.
Both teams opened the season with opening night losses to Atlantic divisional opponents. Though Toronto was able to get one back against Washington, the Senators are looking to take one on the road here against a Toronto team playing their third game in four nights.
Toronto will be a good test for this young Senators core to show how they compete against a team many consider to be the top in the division. Iron sharpens iron. Additionally, the Senators may have to wait to get their chance to face a familiar opponent. Matt Murray’s status for tonight is up in the air following discomfort in his groin at Toronto’s morning skate.
Roster notes
When the Senators took the ice on Thursday in Buffalo Derick Brassard, Dylan Gambrell and Nikita Zaitsev were all healthy scratches. Goaltender Cam Talbot was held out as he continues to recover from his upper body injury.
Here is how the Senators lined up during yesterday’s practice:
Forwards:
Tkachuk – Stützle – Batherson
DeBrincat – Norris – Giroux
Motte – Pinto – Joseph
Kelly – Kastelic – Watson
Brassard – Gambrell
Defense:
Chabot – Zub
Sanderson – Hamonic
Brannstrom – Holden
Zaitsev
Previous history
Saturday will be the 137th edition of the “Battle of Ontario.” The Senators lead the all-time match up with a 69-52-12 record and an additional 3 ties.
Though Toronto has a narrow 14-10 series lead since the start of the 2017-18 season, the Senators opened last season dealing Toronto a loss in front of 15,000 fans at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Who to watch
Goaltender Anton Forsberg will get his second straight start to kick off the season in Cam Talbot’s absence. Forsberg saved 32 of the 34 shots he faced in Buffalo, good for a 0.941% save percentage. His presence in the crease was well established stopping making a while the two goals came off of a couple unfortunate bounces.
Last season Forsberg set career highs in games played, games started, wins and save percentage. In his 44 starts he tallied 22 of the Senators’ 33 wins, proving to be a starting caliber goaltender for head coach D.J. Smith to form a dynamic duo with Cam Talbot this season.
Where to watch
Saturday’s game can be seen live on CBC and Sportsnet at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5