Roster Rundown
Ottawa Senators are banking on their captain, Brady Tkachuk, to lead the charge. With 35 goals and a knack for getting under opponents' skin, he’s a key piece. Tim Stutzle, another critical cog, has been racking up assists with 47 to his name, showcasing his playmaking prowess. Drake Batherson, sitting on 28 assists, is a reliable scorer. Claude Giroux, the seasoned vet, adds experience and leadership, contributing 60 points this season. Notably absent are Shane Pinto and Thomas Chabot, which could shake up their defensive pairings and depth upfront.
For
Tampa Bay Lightning, Brayden Point is a dynamo with 40 goals this season, a constant threat on the ice. Nikita Kucherov, with his dazzling 60 assists, is the engine of their offense. Victor Hedman, anchoring the blue line, has chipped in with 45 points. Andrei Vasilevskiy, their last line of defense, boasts a .920 save percentage, making him a formidable presence in net. Missing from the lineup are Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak, potentially leaving gaps in their forward depth and defense.
Head-to-Head
Tampa Bay Lightning holds the upper hand, winning 26 of their last 45 encounters against the
Ottawa Senators. Ottawa’s managed to clinch 16 victories, with 3 games ending in a draw. Their last meeting saw Tampa Bay edge out Ottawa in a close contest 3-2.
Recent Form
Ottawa Senators have been a mixed bag lately. They lost narrowly to the Pittsburgh Penguins (1-0) but secured a tight victory over Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2). They edged out Detroit Red Wings (4-3) but fell short against Buffalo Sabres (3-2) before bouncing back with a win over New Jersey Devils (3-2).
Tampa Bay Lightning, on the other hand, have been on a roll. They outgunned the New York Islanders (5-3) and decimated Utah Hockey Club (8-0). They trounced Pittsburgh Penguins (6-1) but stumbled against Vegas Golden Knights (4-2) and lost again to Utah Hockey Club (6-4).
Wrap-Up
Ottawa’s recent form shows flashes of brilliance but reveals inconsistencies, especially with their defense. With Shane Pinto and Thomas Chabot out, they may struggle to keep a lid on Tampa’s explosive offense. Tampa’s riding high, with strong offensive showings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy’s goaltending could be the difference-maker here. Reminds me of their Cup chase days. Ottawa’s got to crash the net and convert opportunities if they want to make a dent.
Summary
Given Tampa Bay’s current momentum and scoring prowess, they’re likely to maintain their dominance over Ottawa. With key players firing on all cylinders and Vasilevskiy’s reliable presence in net, Ottawa’s task looks daunting. Ottawa will need to tighten their defense and capitalize on power plays to stand a chance, but it seems like an uphill battle against a Tampa team that’s been lighting the lamp at will.
Match Odds Ottawa Senators – Tampa Bay Lightning
Leon's odds are 2.8 on Ottawa Senators triumphing at home.
At this moment our odds are equal to 2.32 on Tampa Bay Lightning visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are 4.3.
