The odds may be against Zack Ostapchuk earning a roster spot with the Ottawa Senators. With seven games of NHL experience under his belt, Ostapchuk knows every little positive thing he does could make a difference.

Yakemchuk's game on Sunday night was awesome. But nothing should deter the Senators from sending him back to junior this season.

It’s just pre-season, a time when NHL teams get a good look at newbies while the veterans tune up their on-ice rhythm. But, still, it was the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. And, even though it was a pre-season game,

Carter Yakemchuk played in every situation against Toronto’s best forwards in his pre-season NHL debut, and scored a highlight reel OT winner. Whether or not he can make the final roster, he’s showing why Ottawa took him seventh overall in June.

While everyone in Ottawa is excited about first-round draft pick Carter Yakemchuk, no one has been even thinking about the notion of him being ready to play in the NHL this season, let alone talking about it.

The wait is over. The NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs are back after a busy offseason and on Sunday night, the Maple Leafs kicked off their preseason schedule with a home game against their Atlantic Division rivals — the Ottawa Senators.

Carter Yakemchuk scored a sensational overtime winner off an end-to-end rush to lead the Ottawa Senators past the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 in the preseason opener.

Carter Yakemchuk's goal 2:37 into overtime allowed the Ottawa Senators to claim a 5-4 NHL pre-season victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs that almost got away on Sunday.