Game Preview: Let’s try that again, this time with Auston Matthews

Preseason Game: #2

Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Watch: TSN4, TSN5, NHL Live

The first try at hockey this season went well against the Senators.

That game featured a battle of the backups at both ends of the ice, and tonight’s should be at least half Andersen vs Anderson.

Auston Matthews will lead the team, playing with Tyler Ennis and Patrick Marleau, and while last night was our first look at Igor Ozhiganov, tonight should be the first chance to watch Par Lindholm in a somewhat meaningful game.

Preseason can bring a lot of surprises, and last night it was mostly Emerson Clark, a player on an AHL deal, who was the equal of the NHL-contracted players will likely play on the Marlies. The line of Adam Cracknell, Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore was also fascinating and foretells a different style in the AHL this year.

Tonight, we’ll get a whole new set of AHL players for the Marlies fans to pay attention too.

Rosters

Lines will likely be something like this:

Ottawa Senators Roster

In addition to Brady Tkachuk, this versions of the Sens includes Mark Stone, and... still looking ... ah ... you know this is very sad. This is the best tank team anyone has ever assembled in the history of hockey. It makes the Buffalo tank squads look halfhearted.

Wait, I’m over the sympathy.

Oh, Stu Percy! Wow, that’s some defence corps. Here’s a challenge for you, how many Leafs D that will play in the AHL this year would be top pair on the Sens?

As of this morning, you could totally get tickets for this game pretty much anywhere you wanted.