Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators Game Preview

Game #3: Tampa Bay Lightning (1-1-0) @ Ottawa Senators (1-1-0)
Time: 7:00pm ET
Location:
Broadcast/Streaming: BS SUN, NHL Network
Opponent’s Site: For Sens Fans

Preview

The Bolts are looking to get back to the things that have made them successful following a loss filled with turnovers and odd-skater rushes against. “The good thing about tomorrow is that you get to wipe out today” is how Coach Cooper put it following the loss.

It was pretty much a team-wide defensive letdown against the Detroit Red Wings, who skated to a 6-4 victory. Defensive zone turnovers led directly to two goals, while the combination of Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat constantly caused chaos off the rush. Detroit piled up 63 shot attempts with 42 shots finding the net. That’s just unsustainable against any team in the league.

Through two games, the improved focus on defense hasn’t quite kicked in as their 3.95 xGA/60 is the highest number in the league and their 4.47 GA/60 is the fourth worst mark in the league. While they have started both games strongly, their effectiveness has dwindled as the games have worn on. In particular, their second period struggles have carried over from last season as they’ve already been outscored 3-1 in the middle frame. The biggest stat that stands out over the pair of games that they’ve played is that they’ve only generated 12 shots on goal in the second period.

Tonight they go up against a Senators team that is much like Detroit – recent struggles have led them to ice a roster with a lot of young dynamic talent. Led by Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, the Senators have the speed and scoring ability to give the Lightning defense fits.

It’s a bit of a make-shift roster for Ottawa early on in the season as they are missing their second best center in Josh Norris and their third-line center, Shane Pinto. Norris is dealing with a shoulder issue that has plagued him for more than a year now while Pinto is sitting at home waiting for a new contract. Luckily they had brought in some scoring depth in the offseason in the form of free agent Vladimir Tarasenko and trade acquisition Dominik Kubalik. Highly-rated prospect Ridly Greg has stepped into the 2c role in the absence of Norris and Pinto.

They also brought in veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to split time in net with Anton Forsberg behind a fairly solid defense.

Both teams played Saturday with Ottawa defeating Philadelphia, 5-2 with Tkachuk and Jakob Chychrun each scoring two goals.

Despite the struggles last night, there were some positives for the Lightning. Their special teams continue to operate efficiently as they added a power play goal and killed off their only time shorthanded. The top scorers are off to a strong start as Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Brayden Point are all over a point-a-game through the first two contests.

Stats Matchup

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards

Conor Sheary – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov

Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Steven Stamkos

Mikey Eyssimont – Nick Paul – Austin Watson

Tanner Jeannot – Luke Glendening – Walterri Merela

Defense

Victor Hedman – Nick Perbix

Mikhail Sergachev – Darren Raddysh

Calvin de Haan – Erik Cernak

Goaltender

Matt Tomkins

Jonas Johansson

Lines based on last night’s game with the assumption they go back to a 12/6 rotation

Ottawa Senators

Forwards

Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stutzle – Claude Giroux

Mathieu Joseph – Ridly Greg – Vladimir Tarasenko

Dominik Kubalik – Rouke Chartier – Drake Batherson

Parker Kelly – Mark Kastelic – Zack MacEwan

Defense

Jakob Chychrun – Tomas Chabot

Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub

Erik Branstrom – Travis Harmonic

Goaltender

Jonas Korpisalo

Anton Forsberg