Game day: Senators at Leafs

AIR CANADA CENTRE PUCK DROP: 7:30 p.m. TV: Sportsnet RADIO: TSN 1050 KEY PLAYERS Duchene/Matthews

Matt Duchene has played to mixed reviews since he was acquired from Colorado in early November. He had appeared in 26 games before Tuesday, with six goals and four assists, but four of those goals had come in his last five games. Auston Mat

thews continues to lead the Leafs in goals (19) and could line up against Duchene, if the Senator is healthy. He was a game-time decision Tuesday. NEED TO KNOW Ottawa faced Chicago on Tuesday before heading to Toronto. The Senators were 10 points out of a wild-card berth heading into the game, not expected for a team that advanced to the third round of the playoffs last spring . . . Ottawa was 24th in goals (110) heading into Tuesday. Top forwards Mike Hoffman, Derick Brassard, Bobby Ryan and Duchene have all been in slumps in the first half . . .

Erik Karlsson has three goals and 27 assists in 35 games but may be still finding his comfort zone after offseason surgery to repair a tendon in his foot. His minus-15 has to change for the better. UP NEXT Tuesday, vs. St. Louis, 7 p.m. Mark Zwolinski