The Ottawa Senators are set to clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena, featuring significant stakes for both teams as they vie for positioning within the Atlantic Division. The Senators, boasting impressive momentum with five consecutive victories, are eager to secure their wildcard spot. At the same time, the Maple Leafs sit second in the division behind the Florida Panthers, seeking every possible point to solidify their postseason standing.
Toronto’s recent performances against Ottawa have been less than favorable, with the Senators taking both previous encounters this season, winning 3-0 and 2-1. The game will be broadcast live on HNIC, promising drama as the fierce rivalry known as the Battle of Ontario continues.
Head coach Craig Berube has decided to shake up the Maple Leafs’ lineup amid their struggles to score. Most glaringly, superstar Auston Matthews has slid down in goal production, prompting Berube to rearrange the forwards to create new matchups against Ottawa’s formidable defense. "Just mixing it up a little bit. Sometimes, players get stale playing with each other," Berube explained about the adjustments.
Meanwhile, Travis Green, coaching the Senators, echoes the sentiment of improvement. "We have talked about improving as the year goes on. Our game has slowly improved, but there are still things..." he remarked. This steady progression has positioned Ottawa to capitalize on their rivals' vulnerabilities effectively.
On the ice, here are the expected line combinations for both teams:
Toronto Maple Leafs projected lines:
Matthew Knies — Auston Matthews — Max Domi
Bobby McMann — John Tavares — Mitch Marner
William Nylander — Scott Laughton — Calle Jarnkrok
Steven Lorentz — Pontus Holmberg — Nick Robertson
Ottawa Senators projected lines:
Brady Tkachuk — Tim Stutzle — Claude Giroux
David Perron — Dylan Cozens — Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig — Shane Pinto — Michael Amadio
Matthew Highmore — Adam Gaudette — Fabian Zetterlund
The duel between the Senators and Maple Leafs promises to be intense. Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk, fresh off recovering from a minor hip injury sustained during their last game, has been pivotal all season, playing alongside standout forward Tim Stutzle and veteran Claude Giroux. They will be tasked with breaking through Toronto's defenses.
Shane Pinto, one of the Senators’ bright young talents, emphasizes the importance of shutting down the Maple Leafs' top scorers. "You have to shut down the big guys, obviously... those guys are going to look to play on offense," Pinto stated matter-of-factly.
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, are no strangers to pressure, averaging just 2.16 goals across their last six matchups. Players like William Nylander are under the spotlight, needing to convert opportunities to secure the win. Nylander has shown promise with averages of 4.16 shots per game against Ottawa. His performance on this night could be pivotal.
Despite the recent scoring woes, Nylander remains determined. He leads Toronto with 213 shots on goal this season, proving he can find the back of the net when it matters most.
Mitch Marner, who has previously played alongside Tavares and McMann, commented on the synergy within his newly configured line. "We have played together before... Bobby brings a lot of speed off of the left side, and Johnny brings steadiness... it’s all about finding him... for good opportunities,” Marner explained.
Adding to the tension, Scott Laughton expressed the thrill of his home debut, exuding excitement, "Coming out on the ice, you get the chills... My brother and dad were at the game, and it was really cool..." This game holds personal significance not just for the players but for fans as well, as they witness the historic matchup.
Looking at statistical backgrounds, the Senators have found consistency, with their goals-per-game average ranking 17th at 2.92. Conversely, the Leafs are performing stronger at 3.18 goals per game, ranking 11th overall. Defensively, Toronto’s ranking sits at 16th, giving the Senators opportunities to stretch the game.
This battle shapes up to be not just about rivalry, but about playoff aspirations and positioning. With both teams making ample preparations, fans can expect high energy and pressure as the clock ticks down.
Both coaches acknowledge the significance of the game, with Berube noting, "They are doing a really good job defensively this year... it will be another playoff game, in my opinion.”
The matchup is set to be gripping, and with only the emotional weight of the rivalry at stake, both teams will look to lay it all on the line tonight. Tune in at 7 p.m. ET to witness another chapter of this historic rivalry as the Senators attempt to sweep the season against the Maple Leafs.