OK, it doesn't make a difference who is buying the seats in Toronto, they are sold. Toronto fans do show up, they show up a little late, but in the end the tickets are sold and everyone shows up and MLSE makes their money. The waiting list for season tickets is insane, try registering, you'll get your tickets in 15-30 years if you're lucky (try this in ottawa and I bet you get them the day you want them). You always see "empty" seats at the beginning of games, I was at 8 games this season and the seats are always empty at the beginning of the game and each period b/c everyone in the good seats is eating the food in the platinum lounges underneath the stadium (meaning the people are in the rink).
My shot at ottawa was based on reports that they had not sold out a playoff game (they may have sold out in the end but there were tickets available to ANY AND ALL who wanted them) - that would NEVER happen in Toronto. 34 consecutive sellouts, well the last time I checked there were 41 home games in a a season, so big whoop.
BTW, great evidence with the picture, you totally shoved it in my face, oh wait, it appears as though the game hasn't started b/c we can't see any players and the scoreboard is still showing the screen that shows up prior to the game starting (or intermissions). I bet I can show up early to any rink and take a picture like that.