Ranger to IR, Craig to TB, Lightning at Senators preview

by John Fontana on Nov 5, 2009 1:16 PM EST in Game Previews

Players are lined up for their practice skate at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. Image by way of the Tampa Bay Lightning and via web9.twitpic.com

WHERE: Sociabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (Cable), 620 WDAE (radio)

Ryan Craig has cleared waivers and will join the team in Ottawa -- yes, he's beign called up -- while Paul Ranger has been placed on INjured Reserve. This should make fans scratch their heads and speculate on just what is wrong with Ranger in the first place.

No word if Craig will play tonight in Ottawa.

Who is playing? Antero Niittymaki (5-1-1), the hot hand for the Bolts. He comes into tonight's game with a 1.95 GAA and .940 save percentage. It was Niittymaki's effort (40 saves on 41 shots) that kept the Lightning in Tuesday night's game against the Maple Leafs... He has played as well as could be expected of him and is a point to rally around this season.

For the Sens, they've only played one game since last week's meeting between the two teams in Tampa... A 3-1 loss to the Thrashers. They'll be trying to improve upon their 14% power play conversion rate and seek to futher intimidate with their 87% penalty kill percentage.

Jason Spezza is questionable for tonight for the Sens, though he is also hopeful to play.

This is the third game between the two teams of four games scheduled this season. The Bolts do not play the Senators again until April 2010.