Bolts at The Bank
Tonight's tilt between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Ottawa Senators is an important early game for both teams. While the Lightning are trying to get a streak going with a third victory in a row, the Sens are trying to finish a four-game home stand on an positive note, and pass the division leading Buffalo Sabres whom they trail by one point.
Lightning
The Bolts have a red-hot line in Steve Stamkos, Martin St-Louis, and Ryan Malone. Of the 15 goals scored by the Bolts this season, 11 can be attributed to those three. While Vincent Lecavalier is still looking for for his first goal of the season, he remains a threat. Tonight's game should also see the return of goaltender Mike Smith which surprises me to no end. Antero Niittymaki was brilliantly effective in the Bolts' last two victories against the Canes and the Panthers. Smith is still looking for his first win of the season.
Verdict
While both teams would love to win tonight's game, this is one that the Sens can ill-afford to lose. These early season games against teams over which they traditionally win are the ones that matter so much later in the season. The Sens got off to a bad start last year and wound up missing the post-season. I think all the Sens need is a decisive win to become a real early contender this season.
 Jason Spezza |
Sens The Ottawa power play is at the bottom of the league and that situation has to change. Coach Cory Clouston said the team spent a good amount of time working on the power play and positioning. The Sens must work hard in the offensive zone to draw penalties from the Lightning in order to see whether the practice work pays off. Kuba may hit the ice tonight, and that would be welcome news for the Sens power play. If not tonight, then Kuba will be back in the line-up for Saturday's match against the Canadiens in Montréal. Jason Spezza will again be paired with ex-Sharks Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo. While the trio hasn't generated much scoring yet (it's only one game after all), they generated a lot of chances on Monday against the Pens, and it's only a matter of time before they start lighting the lamp. |
Lightning
The Bolts have a red-hot line in Steve Stamkos, Martin St-Louis, and Ryan Malone. Of the 15 goals scored by the Bolts this season, 11 can be attributed to those three. While Vincent Lecavalier is still looking for for his first goal of the season, he remains a threat. Tonight's game should also see the return of goaltender Mike Smith which surprises me to no end. Antero Niittymaki was brilliantly effective in the Bolts' last two victories against the Canes and the Panthers. Smith is still looking for his first win of the season.
Verdict
While both teams would love to win tonight's game, this is one that the Sens can ill-afford to lose. These early season games against teams over which they traditionally win are the ones that matter so much later in the season. The Sens got off to a bad start last year and wound up missing the post-season. I think all the Sens need is a decisive win to become a real early contender this season.
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