With a 4-1-0 record over their past five games, the Leafs are looking to keep the momentum rolling and gain some separation from the pursuing pack beneath them in the standings. Their most recent victory against a top opponent in the Dallas Stars was largely fueled by a dominant performance from the Leafs‘ Core Four forwards, who combined for all five goals including three on the power play, although some encouraging signs were there from the fourth line at different points in the night as well.
Despite another disappointing season for the Ottawa Senators, who again sit in the basement of the Eastern Conference, this matchup is their pretend playoffs and always seems to bring out their best.