For Tampa Bay, the next two games against Ottawa can get them back into a playoff spot quickly.
After a disappointing overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a timely opportunity to get back on track with four Atlantic Division matchups ahead of the 4 Nations break on Feb 12. The first two match ups will be against the Ottawa Senators, a team that is currently on a hot streak.
The Lightning are just one point out of a playoff spot at 27-20-4 overall with a 3-9-0 record against their Atlantic Division opponents. They’re averaging 3.4 goals per game which puts them fourth in the league, but the past month has proven to be their most difficult hurdle offensively.
There's no doubt the Lightning have offensive star-power, we've seen them score highlight-worthy goals for years. After their overtime loss to the Islanders, Jon Cooper spoke about the ways in which the coaching staff would play a role in helping the team get through their scoring troubles. On Monday, they incorporated extra shooting drills into what was a very physical practice at Amalie Arena. The team was dialed in.
For Ryan McDonagh, this is an opportunity for the Lightning defenseman to clamp down with urgency.
“We've got to make sure we let our goalie see the puck and not let anyone get second and third opportunities,” said McDonagh. “When we have a chance to close in our own zone, we need to do it quickly.”
“We just have to continue focusing on our execution. I feel like we've had a lot of plays left out there and have been a little sloppy with the puck at times. When our execution is sharp, our structure is good and our process is good, but that last part, like I talked about.. our execution is really what puts us over the top. Whether it's finishing the chance or making sure we get a puck out of our zone and what not. That's why we dialed in and got a lot of puck touches in practice.”
Ottawa is a team that’s moving up quickly in the standings, winning five consecutive games as recent as last night against the Nashville Predators. They sit four points ahead of the Lightning in third place behind Toronto and are a team that can be dangerous on the rush. In fact, the last time these two teams met, Ottawa scored shorthanded. That's something the Lightning would like to eliminate this time around.
“They have a lot of speed. Their forwards really push the pace on you,” McDonagh said of the Senators. “They don't give you a lot of time to get your head up and make a play, so you’ve got to anticipate your players before you get the puck and they're ready to move it, ready to skate."
Andrei Vasilevskiy will get the start for the Lightning, while Linus Ullmark is expected to return for Ottawa. Ullmark has been out since Dec 22 while dealing with a back injury. Prior to that he went 7-0-0, two of those wins were shutouts.
If there's a time for Tampa Bay to turn it around, it's tonight. Puck drop is at 7pm.