The Senators return home to host the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second last home game of the season
The set-up
For the second time in just a few weeks, the Senators will play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Canadian Tire Centre. The circumstance are a little different as the Lightning have secured their playoff spot and know their opponent, and the Senators are no longer fighting to get into the playoffs. However, the energy for this game is still expected to be high as D.J. Smith and the Senators player have been preaching that they plan to fight until the final buzzer; and the Lightning are trying to stay in playoff form before their big push and try to avenge the 7-2 loss the Senators dealth them last time.
Coming into tonight the Senators have a bevy of players on the verge of career milestones or having just hit career milestones. Brady Tkachuk hit the 35 goal plateau against Carolina and sits just one point away from his first career 80 point season. Both substantial jumps from the career highs he set last year of 30 goals and 67 points.
With three games to play, Tim Stützle sits just three goals away from being the first Ottawa Senator to eclipse the 40-goal plateau since Daniel Alfredsson in 2007-08. Not a small feat to say the least. Along the way he is currently sitting at 84 points and could very well have his first 90-point season.
Claude Giroux of course is flirting with the biggest milestone of them all, needing just three points to eclipse the 1000-point mark for his career. He's in the midst of the second best goal scoring season of his career with 31, and has added 43 helpers, his most since the 2018-19 NHL season.
Tampa Bay comes into tonight having won three of their last four games and looking to maintain their playoff form. Led by the trio of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos with 108, 90 and 80 points respectively, this team has no trouble finding the back of the net. Of course, with Andrei Vasilevskiy minding the net boasting a 0.916% save percentage and only allowing 2.63 goals per game, this team is tough to crack!
Roster notes
The Senators reassigned goaltender Leevi Meriläinen and forward Ridly Greig to Belleville. Additionally, head coach D.J. Smith announced that forward Austin Watson will likely be done for the season after sustaining a lower body injury against Florida. With that Dylan Gambrell and Julien Gauthier are set to rejoin the line-up tonight. Below is how the Senators lined up for morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre:
Forwards:
Tkachuk - Stützle - Giroux
DeBrincat - Pinto - Batherson
Joseph - Gambrell - Brown
Sokolov - Kastelic - Gauthier
Defense:
Sanderson - Zub
Brannstrom - Holden
Kleven - Bernard-Docker
Fan Appreciation Weekend
Fans are in for a treat as the festivities begin early at Canadian Tire Centre today. The plaza will be open from 4:30 to 6:45 with a performance by local country music band, Lemon Cash, five dollar beers available and unique food offerings like a cheeseburger taco bag and a Twinkie Bacon POGO!
Once the game starts there will be performances from Juno-nominated singer/songwriter Scott Helman during both intermissions. Additionally, there will be a 360-degree photobooth experience on the concourse. Lastly, one lucky fan will have the chance to win $1000 in a shoot-to-win contest during the intermission!
Game Day Five: Lightning vs Senators, Apr. 8
