Ottawa Senators vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Game 69 Preveiw
The Ottawa Senators finish their homestand with an opportunity to salvage a win in a time where confidence is at a low and frustration is at a high.
(38-24-7, 83 points) 2nd Atlantic Division
VS
(28-27-13), 69 points) 6th Atlantic Division
7:30 PM
Canadian Tire Centre
TV: Rogers Sportsnet; RADIO: TSN1200
MATCHUP HISTORY
This is the fourth of five meetings this season between the teams, and the first of two in the next 4 days. Ottawa has a 1-1-1 record. Ottawa won the last meeting on January 30th by a score of 5-3.
Jan 30, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) scores a goal against Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Lightning 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
LAST GAMES
Ottawa continued their losing ways by getting shelled by the Rangers 8-4 on Tuesday night. Tampa went into Toronto Wednesday and came away with a 5-3 win to pass the Canadiens for 2nd in the division based on fewer games played.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Steven Stamkos, TBL – This will be Stamkos’ 8th game back in the lineup since returning from his broken leg. After being scoreless in his first 3 games, he has started to heat up. He has 5 goals and 2 assists in the last 4 games, with 2 game winning goals and a hat trick against the Leafs last time out.
Robin Lehner, OTT – After the shellacking Lehner took at the hands of the Rangers, it will be interesting to see how he returns from the adversity. Craig Anderson still isn’t ready to return, and Lehner needs to show some character and bounce-back if he has designs on getting into a more prominent role.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1. Pride – It has been a focus word for the last couple of days now that all playoff hope is pretty much gone. These games are hard to play, hard to watch but the players still need to put a performance together that shows they care.
2. Spoiler – That is the role the Senators have been relegated to. Although some Sens fans might be inclined to want the Lightning to win because that would put the Habs and Leafs to a further disadvantage, spoiling the opponents chances is the goal.
3. MacLean – Paul MacLean‘s decisions continue to puzzle, like the pulling of the goalie with over 3 minutes left in a 3 goal game. Is he just showing his frustration as well?