Game Day – Sens vs. Maple Leafs – Dec 27, 2023

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Leafs Losing Streak ends at 11!

The Toronto Maple Leafs ended their historic 11-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on February 7th, 2015. 

The last time the Leafs had a losing streak that bad was back during the 1966-67 season when they lost 10 in a row. They lost nine in a row during the 1985-86 season and eight in a row during the 1957-58, 1971-72 and 1987-88 seasons.

Over the 11-game slide, the Leafs went 0-10-1, scoring only 11 goals over the stretch. During that same span, they were shutout four times. Between Dec. 18 and Feb. 6, Toronto went 3-18-1, the second-worst record in the NHL over that time period.

Leafs look to avoid a similar streak beginning tonight against the Sens who are coming off an emotional victory.

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GAME DAY REPORT

Last Time vs. Maple Leafs: Senators face defeat at hands of Maple Leaf 4-3

Last Time: Back on Dec 7th, the Ottawa Senators faced the Maple Leafs in Round 2 of the Battle of Ontario. Ottawa had won Round 1 but faced defeat in the second round in a close contest. Leafs net-minder Joseph Woll was injured in the 3rd period being relieved by Martin Jones.

This Time: Now, it’s 20 days later and the Ottawa Senators went on an extended losing streak before winning in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins before the holidays. Ottawa is eager to reclaim a lead in the Battle of Ontario and string two victories in a row.

Statistically, the Toronto Maple Leafs dominate the Ottawa Senators in each category, especially in Special Teams. Ottawa has been working on tightening its game under Jacques Martin and have started to climb out of the basement.

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Game recap – Dec 23 – sens vs. Penguins

Ottawa ends losing streak with defeat of Penguins in overtime 5-4

The Senators completed the Christmas Miracle by ending their 6 game losing streak in front of its fan base and providing returning coach Jacques Martin with his first victory with the club. Ottawa allowed yet another team to stage a comeback forcing overtime but capitalized on a turnover to score the game winning goal.

Quick Sens Highlights:

• The Senators showed marks of improvement in the neutral zone and the pacing of the game under coach Jacques Martin’s new system. They improved in the penalty kill only allowing 1 goal out of 7 opportunities however they struggled on the power play, failing to score on 4 attempts.
• Jakob Chychrun scored the opening goal, his 6th of the season which was followed by a Penguins goal shortly afterwards to tie the game. Josh Norris scored his 12th of the season to end the period with Ottawa leading 2-1.
• Brady Tkachuk scored his 15th of the season to extend the lead to two before a quick goal by Penguins reduced the deficit. Not to be concerned as Erik Brannstrom stormed out of the penalty box and scored a goal to extend the lead once more. Penguins challenged the goal for offside but it was determined to be onside and a good goal. The second period ended with Ottawa leading 4-2.
• The third period was a difficult one for the Senators as they allowed 23 shots on goal while only shooting 4 themselves. This allowed the Penguins to rally back to score the game and forcing overtime.
• A turnover at the blue line allowed Drake Batherson to feed Tim Stutzle who was alone in the front of the net and score for the victory.
• The following players registered assists: Claude Giroux (2), Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk (2), Erik Brannstrom, Jakob Chychrun, Jake Sanderson, and Drake Batherson.
• Anton Forsberg took the win making 30 saves with a 4 GAA and a .882 SV%.

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ON THIS DAY IN SENS HISTORY

⇄ Ottawa trades for two players who are traded again later
In 2020, Braydon Coburn and Cedric Paquette were acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning along with a 2nd round draft pick in 2022 in exchange for forward Marian Gaborik and goaltender Anders Nilsson.

Braydon Coburn played 16 games with the Senators amassing 2 assists during that time and was later traded to the NY Islanders for a 7th-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft on April 11, 2021.

Cedric Paquette played 9 games with the Senators scoring once during that time and was later traded to Carolina by Ottawa with Alex Galchenyuk for Ryan Dzingel on February 13, 2021.

👍 D.J. climbs the win ladder
In 2022, D.J. Smith moved into sole possession of 4th place among all-time Senators coaches with his 95th career victory in a match against Boston. After D.J. Smith’s recent firing, he will remain in second place among games coached behind only Jacques Martin who has 692 games. D.J. also has the second most wins beating Paul MacLean (114) and Bryan Murray (107) although both those coaches achieved their win record in less games coached.

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by the numbers – jersey # 8

When the NHL planned to expand in 1989, the Ottawa consortium worked with Frank Finnigan on the ‘Bring Back The Senators’ campaign. Finnigan died before the new team played its first game in 1992 and was scheduled to drop the puck for the ceremonial face-off. Instead, his son, Frank Jr. dropped the puck on the same night the team honoured Frank Finnigan by retiring his #8 jersey.

Finnigan’s number was retired 55 years after he finished his NHL career and he became only the third player in NHL history to have his uniform retired by a team for which he never actually played.

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AROUND THE RINK

• Canada starts three-peat bid with win over Finland at World Juniors
• 2024 World Junior Championship Group A preview
• 2024 World Junior Championship Group B preview
• 2024 World Junior Championship rosters

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