Can Senators Strike Lightning at Amalie Arena?

As the Ottawa Senators prepare to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Senators have shown a mixed bag of results in their recent outings, but there's reason to believe they could pull off an upset against the formidable Lightning.

In their last game on December 24th against the Pittsburgh Penguins, OTT displayed resilience and offensive prowess by overcoming a deficit and securing a 5-4 victory in overtime. This win was characterized by an impressive shooting percentage of 19 percent and a strong performance during even-strength play where they netted four out of their five goals. Despite winning only 41 percent of faceoffs that night, they managed to block an astounding 28 shots, showcasing their defensive determination.

However, consistency has been an issue for OTT as evidenced by their previous games. On December 22nd against the Colorado Avalanche, despite firing off a whopping 45 shots and scoring four goals, they fell short with goaltending allowing five goals on just 38 shots. Their powerplay clicked with one goal from six opportunities but it wasn't enough to secure the win.

Earlier on December 20th versus the Arizona Coyotes, OTT started strong with three first-period goals but couldn't maintain momentum as they failed to score in subsequent periods. They ended up losing that game with only three points scored compared to Arizona's four.

OTT's performance has been unpredictable yet shows flashes of brilliance that could threaten TB's home ice advantage if taken lightly. The Lightning will need to be wary of OTT’s ability to strike quickly and efficiently when given space.

TB should not underestimate this opponent; while OTT may not dominate in faceoff percentages or powerplay opportunities consistently, their ability to block shots and capitalize during even-strength play can turn games around swiftly.

Looking ahead at what promises to be an electrifying match-up on February 20th at Amalie Arena in Tampa – fans should expect nothing less than high-octane hockey action from both teams. With national coverage available via ESPN+ online or BSSUN channel number 653 for local viewers starting at midnight Eastern Time – this is one game you won’t want to miss!