Maple Leafs Dominate Senators in 6-1 Victory

What we said beforehand

The upcoming NHL clash between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators promises to be intriguing, especially given the recent struggles of both teams. The game is set to take place at Scotiabank Arena on September 23, 2026, at 23:00 UTC. Both teams are looking for a turnaround, as they have faced difficulties in their recent outings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs enter this matchup with a record of 0-1-1, having lost their last five games. Their most recent results include a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and a close 4-3 overtime loss to the same team on September 19. In their last five games, the Maple Leafs have averaged 2.4 goals scored per game while allowing 4.8 goals. Their home record has been particularly concerning, with a streak of eight consecutive losses at home, averaging 2.5 goals scored and 4.8 goals allowed over their last ten home games.

On the other side, the Ottawa Senators have a record of 0-0-1, having played only one game this season, which they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens on September 21. In their last five games overall, the Senators have struggled as well, with a record of 0-5 and an average of 1.8 goals scored while allowing 3.2 goals. Their away performance has not been stellar either, with a record of 1-3 in their last four away games.

When looking at their previous meetings, the Maple Leafs have struggled against the Senators, holding a head-to-head record of 1-3 this season. In their last encounter on April 15, 2026, the Maple Leafs lost 3-1 to the Senators. The last home game against Ottawa on March 1, 2026, also ended in a 5-2 defeat for Toronto. The only win for the Maple Leafs in recent matchups came on December 28, 2025, where they triumphed 7-5.

Injuries will play a significant role in this matchup. The Maple Leafs will be without Dakota Joshua (abdomen), William Villeneuve (knee), and Max Domi (back). The Senators will also face challenges, as they will be missing Warren Foegele (undisclosed), Artem Zub (knee), Jordan Spence (undisclosed), Jake Sanderson (undisclosed), and Kurtis MacDermid (upper body). The absence of key players on both sides may impact the overall performance and strategy of the teams.

The market has set the odds for this matchup, with the Maple Leafs priced at +110 and the Senators at -130, according to the provider. This indicates that the Senators are viewed as slight favorites, reflecting their recent performance and head-to-head success against the Maple Leafs.

As for conditions, the game will be held at Scotiabank Arena, where the Maple Leafs have struggled recently. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Maple Leafs can break their home losing streak and if the Senators can capitalize on their recent success against Toronto. Henrik Rybinski leads the Maple Leafs in goals, assists, and points with one in each category, which could be a focal point for Toronto's offense.

Overall, this matchup between the Maple Leafs and Senators is significant for both teams as they seek to improve their standings early in the season. With injuries affecting both rosters and a history of competitive games, this game is set to be a crucial test for both franchises.