Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/1/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa, ON

Where to watch: CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP

DraftKings: NL

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: NL

Maple Leafs: 44-20-10

Senators: 37-33-5

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The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators are set to face off on April 1, 2023, in what promises to be an exciting match between two Canadian hockey teams. Both teams are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL), and they have a long-standing rivalry that dates back decades.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most iconic teams in the NHL, with a rich history that dates back to 1917. They have won the Stanley Cup 13 times, the second-most in NHL history, and have an incredibly passionate fan base. The Maple Leafs have been a strong team in recent years, with several talented players on their roster.

The Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, are a newer team, having been founded in 1992. They have yet to win the Stanley Cup, although they have made it to the finals once, in 2007. Despite their lack of success on the ice, the Senators have a dedicated fan base and are known for their hardworking style of play.

When these two teams meet, the rivalry is intense, and the games are always hard-fought battles. In their most recent matchup, which took place on February 14, 2023, the Maple Leafs emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. However, the Senators have been playing well lately and will be looking to exact revenge in their next matchup.

Looking at the current state of both teams, the Maple Leafs are currently in first place in the Atlantic Division, while the Senators are in fourth place. The Maple Leafs have a talented roster, with stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares leading the way. Matthews, in particular, has been in outstanding form, with 46 goals and 40 assists in 67 games played so far this season.

The Senators, on the other hand, have several promising young players on their roster, including Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. They have also seen strong play from their goaltenders, Matt Murray and Filip Gustavsson, who have helped keep them in games.

In terms of head-to-head matchups this season, the Maple Leafs and Senators have played each other four times, with the Maple Leafs winning three of those matchups. However, the Senators managed to win their most recent game against the Maple Leafs on March 22, 2023, with a score of 4-3.

So, what can we expect from the upcoming game on April 1, 2023? It's likely to be another closely contested matchup, with both teams fighting hard for a win. The Maple Leafs will be looking to extend their lead in the division and continue their strong play, while the Senators will be looking to build on their recent success and climb up the standings.

One key factor in the game could be the goaltenders. Both teams have talented goaltenders who can make big saves when needed. The Maple Leafs will likely start Ilya Samsonov, who has been their primary goaltender this season. The Senators, on the other hand, may go with whomever is healthy at the time because no one can seem to stay healthy.

Another factor to watch out for is special teams. The Maple Leafs have a strong power play, with a success rate of over 25% this season. The Senators, meanwhile, have a solid penalty kill, with a success rate of 84.4%. If either team can capitalize on special teams, it could swing the game in their favor.

In conclusion, the upcoming matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators promises to be an exciting and closely contested game. Both teams have talented players, and the rivalry between them is sure to add an extra level of intensity to the game.

Prediction

The Sens need a win to keep playoff hopes alive. At home, I think they find a way. Senators 5, Maple Leafs 4

Maple Leafs:

Calle Jarnkrok -- Auston Matthews -- Mitchell Marner

Alexander Kerfoot -- John Tavares -- William Nylander

Michael Bunting -- Sam Lafferty

Zach Aston-Reese -- David Kampf -- Wayne Simmonds

Morgan Rielly -- Luke Schenn

Mark Giordano -- Justin Holl

Jake McCabe -- TJ Brodie

Timothy Liljegren

Ilya Samsonov

Senators:

Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- Claude Giroux

Alex DeBrincat -- Shane Pinto -- Drake Batherson

Derick Brassard -- Dylan Gambrell -- Mathieu Joseph

Patrick Brown -- Mark Kastelic -- Austin Watson

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub

Erik Brannstrom -- Travis Hamonic

Tyler Kleven -- Nick Holden

Cam Talbot