Toronto Maple Leafs Owe Us One Destruction of the Senators

Sep 24, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris (9) scores a goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Keith Petruzzelli (80) during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris (9) scores a goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Keith Petruzzelli (80) during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be playing the Senators tonight in Ottawa.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have not done very well against the Ottawa Senators this year.

The last time they played, Matt Murray had to make damn near 50 saves, and despite the shootout win, it was one of the Leafs worst games of the entire season.

They beat Ottawa 3-2 in October, then lost 6-2 to them in January.

In the aforementioned shootout game, the Leafs won 5-4.  I had to double check because it seems weird that they only played three times so far, and four in total, but that is actually the case.

The bottom line here is that going 1-1-1 against the weaker provincial rivals is unacceptable, and to make up for it, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to blow them out of the water tonight.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators

Tonight’s game will unfortunately not include the return of Ryan O’Reilly.  While there is no reason for the Leafs to rush him back and they are correct not to do so, I just really like watching him play, so I was hoping he would.

He should be back this week, however.

According to David Alter, the Leafs will go 11/7 again, as Acciari and O’Reilly are both out.  The 11/7 thing gets a bad rap in my opinion because honestly, who cares? Stars win you games, and at least this way they aren’t scratching Liljegren like a bunch of morons.

Seriously, it is absolutely bonkers that an NHL team would play Luke Schenn – who has been bad bordering on horrible so far – to scratch Liljegren, who if given the proper role, would likely be their best defenseman.

One assume Keefe is just buckling to the pressure, but this move is abhorrent.

Zohora the Destoya is likely going to make his Toronto Maple Leafs debut and though I’ve never seen him play, and completely forgot all about him since he was acquired at the trade deadline, I look forward to seeing him play.

I mean, there isn’t a lot to hold your attention in what is basically an exhibition game in early April. The Senators can get a maximum of 93 points, but will have to pass three teams to make the playoffs.

Any combo of six points lost by the Sens or won by Long Island will prevent them from getting seventh, and then that numbers turns to nine for catching the Penguins.

They are likely done, but stranger things have happened, and outside of tonight, I’ll be cheering them on.