Strong Blue Line and Goalkeeping Keep Ottawa Competitive
Ottawa Senators vs Tampa Bay Lightning: A Crucial Divisional Matchup with Playoff Stakes
The Ottawa Senators (29-21-4, 62 points, 3rd in the Atlantic) will face the Tampa Bay Lightning (28-20-4, 60 points, 2nd wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference) for the second consecutive meeting in Tampa Bay’s home arena on Thursday. The Senators will be looking to bounce back after a 4-3 defeat to the Lightning on Tuesday, which halted their five-game win streak. With this loss, Ottawa remains firmly in third place in the Atlantic Division, while Tampa Bay’s win has helped them climb to within two points of Ottawa, currently holding the second wild-card spot in the East. This matchup is critical as both teams battle for playoff positioning.
Ottawa’s Strong Blue Line and Goalkeeping Keep Them Competitive
The Ottawa Senators have been thriving in defense and goalkeeping this season. Ranking 7th in the NHL for goals allowed per game (2.7), they’ve excelled at limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities. Their shot defense is also solid, allowing just 27.5 shots per game (12th in the NHL). This defensive resilience is largely thanks to their stellar goaltender, Linus Ullmark (12-8-2, 2.41 GAA, .915 SV%, 3 shutouts), who has returned from injury and remains a key figure for Ottawa between the pipes.
Offensively, the Senators average 2.9 goals per game (18th), but their special teams shine. Ottawa’s power play ranks 9th in the league, converting 23.6% of their opportunities with the man advantage. While their penalty kill sits in the middle of the pack at 20th, successfully killing 78.3% of penalties, they’ll need to improve in this area to keep pace with high-powered teams like Tampa Bay.
Ottawa’s offensive leader is Brady Tkachuk, who has netted 20 goals so far this season, while Josh Norris (19 goals) is another offensive threat for the Senators, although he is sidelined with an injury. Tim Stützle (17 goals, 37 assists, 54 points) has also been a standout, leading the team in points and assists. The Senators boast six players with 31 or more points, making them a balanced threat in terms of offensive production.
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Offensive Firepower and Defensive Solidity
The Tampa Bay Lightning, known for their offensive prowess, are one of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL with an average of 3.5 goals per game (3rd in the league). Their power play ranks 5th, converting 26.3% of their chances. Tampa Bay’s offensive depth is evident with Brayden Point (28 goals), Jake Guentzel (26 goals), and Nikita Kucherov (25 goals, 52 assists, 77 points) leading the charge. Kucherov’s elite playmaking ability makes him the heartbeat of this potent offense.
While Tampa Bay’s offense grabs most of the headlines, they have also been strong defensively, ranking 11th in the NHL with 2.8 goals allowed per game. The penalty kill has been solid as well, ranking 12th at 81.2%. In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy (22-15-3, 2.30 GAA, .918 SV%, 3 shutouts) continues to be one of the best in the league, providing stability and clutch saves for the Lightning when needed most.
Despite some inconsistencies, the Lightning have shown they can win in a variety of ways, whether it’s dominating offensively or holding tight in low-scoring affairs. Their balance between attack and defense will be crucial as they chase down the Senators in the standings.
Conclusion
As the Senators aim to secure their position in the competitive Atlantic Division and the Lightning look to close the gap for the wild-card spot, Thursday’s game will be critical in shaping the playoff picture. The home-ice advantage, combined with the Lightning’s offensive depth and goaltending, makes them the slight favorites. However, Ottawa’s defensive strength and balanced scoring could lead to another thrilling contest between these two teams.
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