After consecutive losses at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers, the Senators will look to get back on track in Tampa Bay.
And while the Senators still sit fairly comfortably in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings, there are teams starting to nip at their heals, making this another crucial two points.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been coming on strong as of late, winning four straight and playing their way back into contention in the East. Former Senator Brian Lee has fit in nicely in Tampa and will take on his former mates for the first time tonight.
The Bolts currently sit eight points back of the Senators.
While you can't really blame Lehner for either of the two losses, the Senators have decided to give Ben Bishop a shot in goal. Bishop has really impressed in his brief three game stint in Bingo and will be eager to show he can play at the NHL level. Get ready to hear a whole lot of height jokes tonight- Bishop is 6'7 and pushing seven feet on skates.
After being a healthy scratch on Sunday night, Zack Smith draws back into the line up in place of Zenon Konopka. Bobby Butler, who has been quiet the past few games, will also come out of the line up in favour of Kaspars Daugavins. Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Klinkhammer-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-O'Brien-Neil
Daugavins-Smith-Condra
Kuba- Karlsson
Phillips-Gilroy
Cowen-Gonchar
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM tonight with all the action available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Keep an eye on the comment section for any streams that become available.
- The NHL announced that defenceman Erik Karlsson was fined $2,500 for a slash on Panthers forward Sean Bergenheim on Sunday night. I had initially suggested the league may suspend Karlsson so obviously a fine is a much better outcome.
