The Sens can look at the Lightning for inspiration, Smith talks never-ending back-to-backs and more before tonight's game in Tampa Bay.

1. Smith on back-to-backs

Back-to-backs have definitely been a thing this season for the Senators and when I mentioned to Zack Smith that tonight's contest in Tampa concludes their 16th set of back-to-backs this year he was hoping to hear something else.
"16? I was hoping you were going to say 19 so we could be done with them," joked Smith. "It's been different. I was just overhearing the schedule from the guys up from Belleville and they're going through a 3-in-3 so it could be worse."
The Sens currently have a record of 13-13-5 in back-to-back games this season so far and what's interesting is that Smith noted teams on the second half of consecutive games actually have a tendency to get off to a better start.
"Sometimes it does work to your benefit," he said. "Our coaches refer to it as 'Game Mode'. If you're playing a team that played the previous night then chances are they're usually pretty sharp to start but they run into a fatigue thing in the third period of the second game."
Wrapping up this current back-to-back in Tampa Bay is easier said then done and Smith is hoping the Sens can feed off a lively crowd at Amalie Arena tonight.
"Tampa's a fun rink to play in," said Smith. "Hopefully it can help us get on a roll here for a bit and get some bounces our way."

2. Anderson's guests last night

Prior to last night's game in Sunrise, Craig Anderson and the Ottawa Senators hosted the Marjory Stoneman Douglas hockey team. Not only were they treated to the game on behalf of Anderson but each player also received a team signed Sens jersey during a quick meet and greet outside the locker room area at BB&T Arena.
For the Anderson's, the school shooting in Parkland on February 14th hit close to home. Anderson and his family settled in the community during his tenure with the Panthers so upon returning last night he wanted to lend a hand and give the high school's State Championship hockey team a night out at the rink.
Instagram from @senators: Prior to tonight's game, the entire #Sens team had the chance to meet the Marjory Stoneman Douglas hockey team and present each player with a team-signed Senators jersey. Their group of 60 will watch tonight's game with tickets courtesy of hometown hero Craig Anderson.
"It's big for our family," said Anderson following last night's game. "We live here in Parkland, we're raising our kids here and we're living through it just like everyone else in the community. For us to give these guys a night out at the hockey game and watch a sport that they love playing is the least that I can do for our community."

3. Strike twice?

It's no secret that this has been a disappointing season for the Senators. After a lengthy post-season run last spring, it looked as though the Sens were primed to be playoff contenders once again this season but for a myriad of reasons, that didn't happen.
Why bring this up in a game day blog in mid-March? Well the Sens can look across the ice tonight at a team that has gone through what they're going through and are an example of light at the end of the tunnel.
After a disastrous start to the 2016-17 season for the Lightning, they rallied hard over the final weeks, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, before ultimately missing the post-season by a single point. While that surge didn't result in a playoff berth, it did help them to set the table for this year. They came flying out of the gates to start the season and they were the first team to hit 100 points this season.
"You saw what Tampa Bay did towards the end of last season when they were kind of out of it and they worked their way back and found their game," said Mike Hoffman. "Look at what they're doing this year. That's something that we can look at and learn from."

4. Previous meeting

These teams last met back on February 22nd in Ottawa where a late, third period surge by the Senators fell just short and they dropped a 4-3 decision to the Lightning at Canadian Tire Centre.
Full highlights from that game are below...

5. Where to watch

It's a 7:30 p.m. start time and if you're in or around Long Sault tonight, be sure to swing by and watch the game at
O'Neill's Pub
where you can grab a 20oz Draft of Molson Canadian for just $6.50 or a 60oz Pitcher of Molson Canadian for only $17.50. Not a bad way to enjoy the game.
For everyone else, catch the game live on TSN5 and RDS2.
Instagram from @senators: It's a #Sens game day! The Sens wrap up their 2-game trip through Florida tonight against the Lightning at 7:30 p.m. #GoSensGo