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Toronto Maple Leafs: Final Battle of Ontario Against the Senators

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs: Final Battle of Ontario Against the Senators

We have all waited patiently and now it is time to drop the puck on a new season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here at the Tip of the Tower we strive to give you as much content on your Toronto sports teams as humanly possible. This series will preview every single Toronto Maple Leafs game and what you should know for the game that night.

Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) celebrates his tying goal with center Nazem Kari (43) in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (27-42-7) @  Ottawa Senators  (39-26-12) 7:30 p.m CityTv

The Leafs are 2-2 against the Senators this season.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Peter Holland is likely to play with a lower-body injury.

Stephane Robidas is out with a shoulder injury.

Roman Polak is out with a hernia injury.

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Senators Injury Report

Robin Lehner is out with a concussion.

Milan Michalek is questionable with a hand injury.

Matt Puempel is doubtful with a lower-body injury.

Chris Phillips is out with an undisclosed injury.

Chris Neil is out with a broken thumb.

Projected Line Combinations(Senators)

Game Preview

Apr 4, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) takes down Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) during the third period of the Boston Bruins 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Go figure that the last time the Leafs play the Bruins this season they happen to take a season high 50 shots. Luckily for the Leafs, James Reimer decided he was not going to let the Bruins win easily, as he stopped 49 of 50 shots. Even with that great performance from Reimer, the Leafs are still looking for just their second road win in 2015. They return home to play the Ottawa Senators, who desperately needed the Leafs to keep the Bruins from getting the victory.

The Senators are coming off an overtime victory against the Washington Capitals, which came after they coughed up a three-goal lead. The last time the Leafs and Senators played each other, Toronto overcame a 3-1 deficit to win in overtime. If Ottawa wants to pull within striking distance of Boston, they need to get two points against the Leafs. If this was a home game for Ottawa, they would have a better chance to beat the Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) celebrates his tying goal in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs OTT: 50 GP- 25 goals- 25 assists- 50 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs OTT: 27 GP- 12 goals- 11 assists- 23 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs OTT: 23 GP- 10 goals- 12 assists- 22 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs OTT: 14 GP- 9 goals- 5 assists- 14 PTS

Morgan Rielly career vs OTT: 7 GP- 0 goals- 4 assists- 4 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs OTT: 3 GP- Record: 2-1, 1.84 GAA- .937 SV%

Ottawa Senators

Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates with the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs center Sam Carrick (53) gives chase at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Karlsson’s career vs TOR: 23 GP- 5 goals- 11 assists- 16 PTS

Kyle Turris career vs TOR: 18 GP- 6 goals- 5 assists- 11 PTS

Bobby Ryan career vs TOR: 10 GP- 1 goals- 5 assists- 6 PTS

Mark Stone career vs TOR: 4 GP- 2 goal- 2 assist-  4 PTS

Mike Hoffman career vs TOR: 7 GP- 3 goals- 1 assist- 4 PTS

Craig Anderson career vs TOR: 18 GP- Record: 8-6-3, 3.00 GAA- .880 SV%

Andrew Hammond career vs TOR: 1 GP- Record: 1-0, 3.00 GAA- .880 SV%

Keys to Victory

Dec 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) and goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) skate off the ice after a win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Los Angeles 4-3 in an overtime shot out. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bernier will have to be on his game tonight, especially after Reimer’s performance against Boston and over the past couple of games. While the Leafs did not go overboard in order to acquire Bernier, they have still invested in him and will try their best to make it work.

The Leafs will have to watch for the younger players on the Senators, who have been a major part of their success this season. If Toronto do not watch for the play off the rush, it will be tough to stop Ottawa’s offence.

While it would be nice for  the Leafs to win, the Senators have been a feel good story and it would be nice to see them make the playoffs over the Bruins.

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