Senators Face Lightning Again in Pivotal Playoff Race Matchup

Ottawa Looks to Rebound After Tough Loss

The Ottawa Senators (27-21-4) remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt despite a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning (26-22-5) on Tuesday.

With only two points separating the teams, Thursday’s rematch in Tampa Bay will have major postseason implications.

Senators on a Strong Run Despite Injury Setbacks

• Recent Form: 10-3-1 in last 14 games
• Key Player: Thomas Chabot (1 goal, 5 assists in past 6 games)
• Injury Concerns: Josh Norris (mid-body, out weeks) | Shane Pinto (upper body, status uncertain)

Despite these setbacks, Claude Giroux praised Chabot’s leadership:

Chabot now has 4 goals and 22 assists in 53 games this season.

Lightning Aim to Build Momentum

Tampa Bay has struggled with consistency, failing to win back-to-back games since Jan. 16-18. However, the 4-3 win over Ottawa on Tuesday moved the Lightning into the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Tuesday’s Key Contributors:

• Brandon Hagel: Game-winning goal early in the third period
• Ryan McDonagh: Empty-net goal (ultimately the game-winner)
• Goaltending: Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 27 of 30 shots

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Roster Moves & Injuries:

• Conor Geekie sent to AHL Syracuse after playing 50 games this season
• Nick Paul (undisclosed injury) exited Tuesday’s game after playing just 1:17

Head coach Jon Cooper emphasized that Geekie’s demotion was part of the long-term development plan:

Game Preview & Outlook

Key Storylines:

✔ Playoff Implications: Senators hold a slight lead over the Lightning in the Atlantic Division standings
✔ Injury Management: Ottawa is missing key scorers, while Tampa Bay’s depth is also being tested
✔ Can Tampa Win Two in a Row? Lightning haven’t strung together consecutive wins in nearly a month

Projected Goalie Matchup:

Ottawa: Joonas Korpisalo (Likely Starter)

• Record: 14-12-3
• GAA: 2.78 | SV%: .908

Tampa Bay: Andrei Vasilevskiy (Likely Starter)

• Record: 18-15-2
• GAA: 2.91 | SV%: .902

Vasilevskiy made 27 saves in Tuesday’s win, while Korpisalo has been solid despite Ottawa’s defensive injuries.

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Final Thoughts: Who Has the Edge?

With both teams battling for playoff positioning, expect a high-intensity, physical rematch.

If Ottawa can overcome its injury woes, they could even the series and create some breathing room in the standings.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, needs to prove it can string together wins—a key factor if they want to secure their playoff spot.