Game Day Five: Senators at Lightning, Nov. 1
By
Daniel Chisholm
Hockey Content and Social Media Specialist
The set-up
The Senators made their way to Tampa Bay for the first of three meetings between these two clubs this season. Ottawa comes into Tuesday's game following a disappointing night against the Panthers which brought them to an even 4-4 record on the season. Following the injury of Artem Zub, only expected out of the lineup for a short period, head coach D.J. Smith had to tinker with his defensive pairings during that Florida game. Nick Holden moved into Zub's spot and scored his first goal of the season, while Nikita Zaitsev slid into Holden's typical spot playing with Erik Brannstrom.
The Lightning return home from their California road trip where they went 2-1. Though not as high in the standings as many thought they would be ten games into the season, this is still the same Lightning team that has gone to three straight Stanley Cup finals, winning two of those three.
Roster notes
Following the Senators game against Florida head coach D.J. Smith mentioned that he was anticipating injecting Dylan Gambrell into the lineup.
"Gambrell will play," said D.J. Smith. "We need his speed, we need his tenacity, we need his compete level on the track in his own zone."
Below is how the Senators lined up during their Sunday morning practice:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Pinto - Giroux
Motte - Kastelic - Joseph
Kelly - Gambrell - Watson
Brassard
Defense:
Chabot - Holden
Sanderson - Hamonic
Brannstrom - Zaitsev
Heatherington
Pinto moving into the second line
As D.J. Smith has mentioned several times since Norris' injury, there has always been an opportunity for Shane Pinto to move into the open centre spot on the second line. It seems Tuesday night we will get to see that happen as Pinto practiced with Giroux and DeBrincat at FLA Live Arena Sunday morning.
Pinto has been off to a blistering start with six goals in his first eight games. He has shown great chemistry playing with Giroux already on the power play unit during practices as well as converting the first power play goal of his career off the feed from Giroux against Toronto. With Pinto and Alex DeBrincat's ability to light the lamp and Giroux's playmaking ability, look for this line to make some noise.
Who to watch
Goaltender Anton Forsberg gave a near herculean effort In Saturday's game against Florida. Though the Senators didn't walk away with the win it wasn't for a lack of effort on Forsberg's part. He tied the franchise record for saves in a game with 53, with a 0.930 save percentage in the effort. Fans may remember that last year Forsberg got the shutout when the Senators visited Tampa, the first of his career.
Forsberg has had a strong start to the 2022-23 campaign, shouldering the bulk of the goaltending burden while Cam Talbot recovers from an injury sustained in preseason. Forsberg, who set career highs in every major statistical category last season, is on pace to keep those marks this season and even exceed some again this year.
Where to watch
Tuesday's game can be seen live on TSN5 and RDSI at 7 p.m. Fans can also tune into the radio call on TSN 1200 and Unique FM 94,5
