Ottawa Senators
10-8-4
VS
Tampa Bay Lightning
15-6-2
Game Time: 7:00 PM EST
Tampa Bay Times Forum Tampa, Florida
TV: Sportsnet
MATCHUP HISTORY
The Ottawa Senators play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second game of the season series. The Senators won the first game of the series in October. The game in October saw the Senators win via shootout. In many ways it was a game the Senators deserved to lose.
The Lightning outshot the Senators 40 to 34. The second period saw the Senators being outshot 18-6. Robin Lehner had a remarkable game and the Senators won. Tonight’s game could require similar goaltending heroics as the Senators have been giving up tons of offensive chances to their opponents.
LAST GAMES
Ottawa Senators vs Florida Panthers 2-3 L
New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning 3-4 W
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Steven Stamkos – TBL is always capable of a big performance. The Lightning star has fifteen goals, twelve assists, and 27 points on the year. Stamkos leads the Lightning in goals, points and power play points. Stamkos is one of the best players in the league, and makes those around him better.
Ryan Callahan – TBL and Alex Killorn play on the first line with Steven Stamkos. That is enough of a reason for the two to be mentioned. Callahan has ten goals and nine assists on the year. Killorn a reasonable six goals and four assists in fifteen games. The Lightning’s first line is a serious threat to score every time they are on the ice.
Erik Karlsson – OTT has traditionally played very well against the Lightning. In his last six meetings against the Lightning he has five goals, four assists, totalling nine points. The Senators captain needs to have a big performance tonight. It would be extremely beneficial if Karlsson could get the Senators off to an early lead with a beautiful pass or rocket shot from the point that finds twine.
Clarke MacArthur – OTT is another Senators player to watch. He leads the team with eight goals but has not found the back of the net in quite some time. He has not scored a goal in six games. His last goal came November 15th against Colorado. Hopefully the Senators top line has some offensive prowess tonight.
TOP 3 STORYLINES
1. Trading Places – The Ottawa Senators traded Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Cory Conacher in April of 2013. Conacher is currently with the New York Islanders, Ben Bishop will most likely be starting between the pipes for the Lightning. Many people criticize the trade made to acquire Conacher. It will be interesting to see how Bishop plays. He has a 13-3-2 record, with a .918 save percentage. Who will have the better goaltending tonight?
2. No Support – Craig Anderson has been remarkable this season. Robin Lehner has been decent as well. Lehner has the same save percentage as Ben Bishop, .918. Craig Anderson is 5-5-3 although he has a .932 save percentage. The Senators are coming off a game in which they let a 2-1 lead slip in the third period. The Senators were outshot 16-9 in the Second Period, 18 to 4 in the third period.
You can not win hockey games when you are outshot 46-24. Anderson made39 saves last night. Regardless of who plays in net they are going to have a difficult night if the Senators can’t change their style of play. They are currently 29th in the league giving up 35.4 shots a game.
3. Shots – The Senators are 25th in shot per game, 29th in shots against. It is very interesting to identify some of the positives in terms of offense for the Senators. Only three Senators have positive Corsi% in five on five play (minimum ten games played). Those Senators are Mark Stone with 52.6%, Mike Hoffman with 52.0, and Curtis Lazar with 50.6%. These stats mean that when the Senators are on the ice they are typically being outshot.
How have Lazar, Hoffman, and Stone had more success then other members on the team? What has led to these young players being so successful? I wish I had all the answers, and I bet the Senators wish they did too.
ENJOY WATCHING/LISTENING TO THE GAME!