Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators: Battle of Ontario, Round Five

The new year hasn't been a great one off the ice for Ray Emery.

The netminder hasn't seen any action since being fined by the team for sleeping in and showing up four minutes late for practice on Long Island a week ago.

Emery claims he went to Nassau Coliseum instead of the Islanders' practice rink, causing him to be late.

On the ice, Emery hasn't stood out this season either. After leading the Sens to the Stanley Cup Finals last year with a record of 33-16, a GAA of 2.47, and a save percentage of .918, Emery was expected to lead Ottawa back to the playoffs.

But this year, Emery has a dismal record of 8-7-3, a GAA of 2.95, and a not-very stellar save percentage of only .891.

The 25-year-old netminder will get the start tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and will look to put in a strong performance to make up for his recent mistakes.

Meanwhile, the Leafs aren't worried about their goaltending situation, they've got bigger issues to worry about.

Alex Steen, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Chad Kilger, Boyd Devereaux, Bryan McCabe, and John Pohl will all be sitting out due to injuries. Nikolai Antropov will also miss the game as the first of his three-game suspension for abuse of an official.

With so many missing players, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be soon called the Toronto Maple Marlies, as they will have called up a substantial proportion of their AHL affliate's roster.

Jiri Tlusty has been seeing time on the first line alongside Mats Sundin the past two games, and contributed a goal in his most recent appearance against the Carolina Hurricanes. 

The Leafs are on a four-game skid, and aren't looking too good on the power play. They have connected on none of their fifteen shots in their last five man advantages.

But Toronto will look to rebound against the shorthanded Sens, who are missing their two stars Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson.

The game starts at 7:00 Eastern time on CBC.

Jake's Predicition: Leafs win, 3-2.