Game Day 5: OTT at TBL

1. The set up:

Tonight will be the third match up between these divisional opponents with the two splitting the first two meetings in Ottawa early in this campaign.

The Sens look to regain their footing following back-to-back disappointing losses to the Ducks and Blackhawks. Before this recent hiccup they looked like the team that we all thought they would be at the onset of this season. Winners in eight of 12 with 18 points in that stretch, the Sens were making up ground in the playoff race in a hurry. With the power play unit starting to find their way in recent games converting three of their last eleven chances, look for them to regain that momentum as they try to pick up points in the playoff race.

The Lightning enter tonight's contest looking to move out of a Wild Card spot and into a Divisional playoffs spot, currently sitting just one point back of the Maple Leafs. The Lightning boast the leagues best power play converting 30.2% of their chances. Helped of course by the NHL point leader Nikita Kucherov (94 points) who along with Steven Stamkos leads the Lightning with 12 power play goals each. That offensive power along with their stalwart goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy who boasts a 0.899% save percentage while allowing only 2.90 goals per game, this Lightning team is a force to be reckoned with.

2. Roster report:

The Sens have shaken up their lines coming into tonight. Though Brady Tkachuk is listed as the third line wing, expect to see the Tkachuk-Pinto-Tarasenko line play top line minutes. Below is how the Senators lined up at morning skate at Amalie Arena:

3. Who to watch:

Though history can't predict the future, oftentimes it can be a dang good indicator. With that, Brady Tkachuk's production against the Lightning this season that gives optimism of what he might be able to do at Amalie Arena tonight. In each of their previous two meeting this season Tkachuk has scored a pair of goals and added a helper to give him four goals and two assists for six total points in two games. Not too shabby.

Beyond his success against just the Lightning, Tkachuk is in the midst of a career season with 25 goals in 51 games, on pace a career high 40 goals. Should he keep up this pace, Tkachuk will establish a new career high in goals for the third consecutive season. Be on the lookout for Tkachuk to put his stamp on this one early.

4. Penalty kill test:

The Sens will have their hands full tonight facing the league's best power play unit. The Lightning boast two double-digit goal power play goal scorers in Kucherov and Stamkos with 12 each while Brayden Point isn't far behind with eight of his own. With numbers like that it's not surprise they are converting over 30% of their chances with the man advantage.

That said the Sens penalty kill has been playing much better lately having given up only two goals on the last fourteen penalties. In fact if you take away the Anaheim game, the penalty kill hadn't given up a goal since Boston back on Jan. 25. While the best way to combat an elite power play is to avoid penalties in general the Sens can find a little bit of solace in knowing that the PK is playing some of their best hockey just in time to face the league's best on the other side.

5. Where to watch:

This afternoon's game can be found live on Sportsnet in English and TVAS in French. Additionally, TSN1200 and Unique FM 94,5 have you covered on the radio with the English and French calls.