The set-up
The Sens return to the comfort of home ice when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre tonight in its first preseason home game ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Ottawa is coming off of a 3-2 overtime win in Winnipeg Sunday while Toronto is 1-1 thus far in preseason.
The Senators' penalty kill was in good form Sunday where they killed off four of five penalties, including a five-minute major. However, the team's power play failed to convert on four attempts.
Roster notes
The Sens announced a 23-man roster for tonight's game Tuesday that will see the preseason debuts of Connor Brown, Nicholas Paul, Tim Stützle, Chris Tierney, Colin White and Nikita Zaitsev.
Michael Del Zotto, Nick Holden and Zach Sanford will also all play in a Sens jersey for the first while Pontus Åberg, Erik Brannstrom, Josh Brown, Parker Kelly and Lassi Thomson are all set to play for the second straight game.
Sens head coach D.J. Smith has confirmed that Filip Gustavsson will start in goal. The Swedish netminder stopped all 14 shots he faced Sunday in Winnipeg.
Previous history
With Sunday's win, the Senators moved its preseason record to 15-14-5 since the start of the 2015-16 season.
In that same timeframe, the Sens are 6-3-1 against the Maple Leafs in preseason contests.
During the regular season last year, the Sens went 4-4-1 against Toronto.
Who to watch
Tim Stützle will play his first game at Canadian Tire Centre in front of fans tonight.
The German winger had 12 goals and 29 points during his rookie season in 2020-21 and tonight will mark the first NHL preseason contest of his career.
Where to watch
Wednesday's game can be seen live on TSN5 at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200.
The Senators are also recognizing Sept. 30's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation during tonight's game. The date had been previously observed (since 2013) in an effort to acknowledge and honour the healing journey of Canada's residential school survivors and in commitment to a reconciliation process.
