OTTAWA — At this juncture of the season, discussions naturally turn to how regular-season matchups could foreshadow potential playoff series.
The Ottawa Senators secured a 2-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking their first win this season in a game where captain Brady Tkachuk was absent.
Absence of Brady? Not a problem.
This game was a clear demonstration of the Senators` game plan needed to overcome the Lightning should they face each other in the playoffs later this month. It was characterized by tight defense, minimal scoring opportunities, and the intense atmosphere reminiscent of playoff hockey.
Statistically, Tampa Bay may appear stronger with their roster of stars, superior special teams, and, of course, their history of Stanley Cups. However, the Senators and Lightning split their season series, even though Ottawa had their full roster available in only one of their four encounters.
While it`s easy to read too much into a season series, these games do offer valuable insights into team dynamics and capabilities. Currently, MoneyPuck.com assesses Tampa Bay`s chances of winning the Atlantic Division at 39.4 percent, while Ottawa is projected with an 88.4 percent likelihood of securing the first wild card spot. This suggests a strong possibility of a playoff clash between these two teams.
Should that playoff series materialize, the primary challenge for the Senators to compete effectively is evident.
Neutralize Nikita Kucherov.
`Hopefully, he`ll have an off night. I wish I knew the secret to stopping Kucherov,` Linus Ullmark commented after the game. `There`s a clear reason he`s amassed 100 points this season; it`s no accident.`
Tristan Blackwood