Game Day Notes: Sens @ Lightning

The Sens kick off their 3-game road trip tonight in Tampa Bay and we've got the latest on the Sens' line-up, a look at their most recent meeting and more before our 7 p.m. start against the Lightning.

Crawford takes over as interim head coach

Sens general manager Pierre Dorion announced yesterday that Marc Crawford would take over on the bench as the team's interim head coach following the dismissal of Guy Boucher. Tonight will mark Crawford's first game as an NHL head coach since 2011 with the Dallas Stars and with 18 games remaining on the schedule, he'll be looking to stabalize a young, developing team with the help of some of the veterans in the locker room.
"You can't argue with his NHL resume," Sens defenceman Mark Borowiecki said about Crawford yesterday. "We need someone who can be a steadying, guiding hand for us. We're a young group that is kind of in flux right now so to have someone who's been there and done that will be important for us to calm this group down."

With the Sens turning to younger players to contribute this season, Crawford admitted that developing the team's youth will be a priority over the remainder of this year and that would mean building off the foundation that is already in place while adding in some elements to cater to their young roster's strengths.
"It comes down to playing a way that's conducive to the players that we do have here in our room," said Craig Anderson before traveling to Tampa Bay. "It's about growing the youth and letting them be free to make plays and be creative. That's going to go a long way in their growth."
In 1,151 games as an NHL head coach, Crawford brings a wealth of experience which includes a Jack Adams Award (94-45) and a Stanley Cup (95-96). He also confirmed that former Senator Chris Kelly has been added to the team's coaching staff while Dorion shared that plans to name a permanent head coach will commence following the season with Crawford as a potential candidate.

Projected Line-up

It's no easy task for Crawford in his new role with the Senators as they'll be facing the league's best team in the interim coach's first game in charge.
"We know we have to do the right things away from the puck," Crawford said about tonight's opponent. "If you have any hesitation at all in how you're playing without the puck then this team can hurt you in a lot of different ways."
Crawford shared that he still has a decision to make on his defencemen for tonight and gave some insight towards a little bit of shuffling for the forward lines.
"Jean-Gabriel Pageau will play with two of our brightest prospects: Colin White and Brady Tkachuk," said Crawford. "I think playing them with a really solid, veteran guy who plays the right way is what we want to do."
The interim head coach also mentioned that Zack Smith and Magnus Paajarvi will see Oscar Lindberg slide into Pageau's former spot on their line.
"We're getting to know what he can do," Crawford said regarding Lindberg. "We're starting to see the type of player he is and the intelligence he plays with."
While we wait to hear which defencemen will be the extra tonight, here's a quick look at the Sens projected lines and pairings:
Tkachuk - White - Pageau
Balcers - Tierney - Ryan
Duclair - Gibbons - Boedker
Lindberg - Smith - Paajarvi
Chabot - DeMelo
Harpur - Ceci
Borowiecki - Jaros
Wolanin

In Goal

The aforemention Anderson (14-21-3) will get the start in goal tonight against the Lightning as he hunts for his first with of 2019. Despite some solid outings since returning from a concussion in late January, Anderson has dropped his last 8 starts but does hold a win in Tampa already this season (more on that below).

Recent Meeting

These teams last met back on November 10th, 2018 in Tampa with the Sens rattling off 4 goals in the third period to claim a 6-4 comeback win over the Lightning. White and Tkachuk each tallied a goal and an assist in the victory while Anderson made 24 saves to earn the decision.
Full highlights from that game below...

Where to Watch

It's a 7 p.m. scheduled start in Tampa Bay tonight and if you're looking for a great spot to catch the game then head on out to Kelsey's in Kanata where they'll be serving up 23oz Kicked Up Molson Canadian Draft for just $8.18 + tax during the game.