Surging Tampa Bay Lightning host the slumping Ottawa Senators – NHL Preview
Tampa Bay Lightning have surprisingly shifted their momentum to serve their cause of reaching the playoffs of the National Hockey League (NHL) 2011-12 season and is not very far away from entering the comfort zone in the Eastern Conference.
On the other hand, Ottawa Senators, who already are in the comfort zone, are slightly out of touch.
This provides the Lightning a great opportunity to get another victory as these two sides prepare to play against each other on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida.
Here is a look at both teams.
Lightning
They are ranked at 10th spot in the Eastern Conference with 68 points after 65 games and are four points short of the eighth-ranked Winnipeg Jets.
They are presently on a four-game winning run with the victories coming against New Jersey Devils (4-3), Montreal Canadiens (2-1), the Eastern Conference leaders, New York Rangers (4-3 in overtime) and Carolina Hurricanes (4-3 in overtime).
Against Hurricanes, Lightning got the early lead, but went two goals down in the second period. However, they scored a goal in the same period and managed another in the final to force the game to overtime where they got another goal to get the victory.
Steven Stamkos, who had two goals, said after the game:
"That was a big character win for our team. We got some breaks with a 5-on-3 when we were able to tie it, and in overtime. Finally, we were able to take advantage of some power plays. We may have not played our best game, but we found a way to win, and that's
what matters."
Senators
Senators are ranked at seventh spot in the Eastern Conference with 76 points after 67 games.
However, they did not get a good start to this month and lost both the games played in March. The defeats came against Chicago Blackhawks (2-1) and Florida Panthers (4-2).
Senators were leading, 2-0, by the end of first period against Panthers, but they conceded three goals in the second period and one in the final to lose the game.
Senators’ coach, Paul MacLean, said after the game:
"Our competition level after the first period stayed the same and theirs obviously elevated to a higher level. Instead of raising our competition level as the game went on to meet theirs, we got frustrated.”
Predictions
Considering the recent form, Lightning can be favoured.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might exceed six.
If Senators win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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