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Saturday, October 9, 1999
There'll be something in the air
Senators, Leafs have a lot on the line tonight
The Toronto Maple Leafs vs. the Ottawa Senators. It's one of those dates you circle on the calendar and if you're not lucky enough to be in the building, then you make sure to tune into Hockey Night in Canada.
The annual Battle of Ontario officially begins its eighth season tonight at the sold-out Corel Centre when the unbeaten Leafs and Senators, both with 3-0 records, clash before a national TV audience.
"These are the ones you look forward to playing in," said Ottawa defenceman Wade Redden. "You have to get excited about these games because of the tradition that goes with playing against a team like the Leafs.
"Growing up in Canada, it's always special to play in these games. You know these are going to be a tough test and this has turned into a pretty good rivalry. We're all looking forward to this challenge."
Coming off their third straight win -- a 4-3 comeback victory over the Boston Bruins Thursday night in the home opener -- the Senators didn't bother going onto the ice yesterday morning.
Instead, Senators coach Jacques Martin cancelled a light skate and opted for an off-ice workout before the team attended a business luncheon to kick off the season at the Ottawa Congress Centre.
TUGNUTT STARTS
Goaltender Ron Tugnutt, who hasn't seen much action against the Leafs in the past because of the presence of Damian Rhodes, has been handed the start after his relief performance against the Bruins.
Called in to replace a struggling Patrick Lalime, who allowed the Bruins to score three goals on seven shots in the first 12 minutes, Tugnutt was solid despite missing all of the pre-season with a knee injury.
"I'm a Toronto guy," said Tugnutt, who won both of his starts against the Leafs last season. "I grew up in Toronto and I know what a big thrill it is to play against a team like that.
"But you know they're a tough team to play against. They're definitely one of the best teams in our division, because they're a team with good speed. Fortunately, I think we're able to match that speed."
What's been most impressive for the Senators has been the club's play on special teams. Ottawa had three power-play goals against the Bruins and two in a 4-0 victory over Philadelphia last Saturday.
PICKING UP PACE
After struggling with the man advantage last season, the Senators have been able to score even though captain Alexei Yashin -- the club's leading scorer in 1998-99 -- is practising in Switzerland while waiting for a new contract.
"I think what happened when we had Alexei Yashin there was everybody was trying to get the puck to him and maybe waiting for him to make something happen. That was a lot of pressure," said coach Jacques Martin.
"Without Yashin, we're playing a good team game and we're moving the puck around a lot more. Special teams are the difference and I've liked the success on the power play.
"We've created a lot of chances."
Still, the Senators are going to face possibly their toughest test of the young season in the Leafs.
THREE AND OUT
Also unbeaten in three straight, the Leafs are desperate to get a fourth win to end what has been a nightmarish streak for the club. The last 18 times Toronto has won three in a row, it has been unable to win the fourth.
The last time the Leafs had more than a three-game streak was Feb., 1994.
"You can stick that stat," said Leafs tough guy Tie Domi. "We don't pay attention to that unless we see it in the newspaper. It's not something that we should even be worried about."
Unless they play overtime, one of the streaks will come to an end tonight. That adds even more importance to an already blossoming rivalry between the two Northeast Division clubs.
"This should be a great game," said Martin.
A matchup the whole country should be looking forward to.
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