Ottawa at Tampa Bay

[VegasVic]

Usually I’m not one to be laying 2 to 1 on many things but this game is a exception. I do believe there’s value in this chalky favorite for the following reasons.

Ottawa plays a back to back, (1-2 in this scenario), after being out played by the Florida Panthers in the third period last night, (outshot 18-4). Being outshot is nothing new for the Sens. They have been outshot 186-128 in their last five games.

Ottawa is on the outside looking in after a hot start, (4 wins first 5 games). Since then they have managed to win only 6 games in 17 attempts. Lack of depth in the forward lines and a overworked Eric Karlsson, (28 minutes a game), are key factors in their decline.

Tampa Bay on the other hand has three scoring lines that can beat you on any given night. Killorn-Stamkos-Callahan/Palat-Johnson-Kucherov/Namestnikov-Filppula-Kucherov. It’s not surprising they lead the NHL in scoring, 3.52 GPG.

Consider the Bolts blue line should be bolstered by the return of, point a game player, Victor Hedman and it just gets worse and worse for Robin Lehner and tired legs in front of him.

Lightning haven’t played since Wednesday. With a days rest or more Tampa Bay is 13-3-2 this year.

Tampa Bay is not a team that regularly plays into OT. In their last 16 games only 2 have gone into extra time.

Tampa Bay -.5 -137 (in regulation)

 

[Feddz]

Great breakdown as usual. Thanks Vic

 

[Defying]

Lets go bolts!

 

[scottcarter]

GL VV

Both teams playing well should be a good game.

 

[guil0000]

Good Stuff Vic. I have watched every senators game so far and they are very hard to predict. The game right before the panthers yesterday against the blues they played their best game of the year. So I kind of expected some kind of let down yesterday. I think they should come out hot tonight out of the gate but I think the tired legs will wear down on them and I expect TB to dominate near the end. I think where they are in the standings right now is where they will be in the end.

PS. I think giving the C to Karlsson was a mistake. A captain that doesn't seem to give it is all each game shouldn't be a leader

 

[VegasVic]

PS. I think giving the C to Karlsson was a mistake. A captain that doesn't seem to give it is all each game shouldn't be a leader

Thanks for all your insight guil. Always appreciated.

Couldn’t agree more with your view of Karlsson. From the interviews I see he looks like he’s got some growing up to do. Clearly takes plays off as has been illustrated by the folks at Rogers but then again that comes with the territory of playing almost 30 minutes a game.

 

[VegasVic]

Thanks feddz, defying, and scott. gl to you all tonight

 

[guil0000]

Thanks for all your insight guil. Always appreciated.

Couldn’t agree more with your view of Karlsson. From the interviews I see he looks like he’s got some growing up to do. Clearly takes plays off as has been illustrated by the folks at Rogers but then again that comes with the territory of playing almost 30 minutes a game.

I think they were kind of pressured to give him the C. The departure of Alfredsson the year before and Spezza this year. They needed a poster boy to sell the tickets that the average fan will like. They should have either givin it to Philipps, Neil etc or done as Montreal did and go with no captain and see who emerges as the leader

 

[Feddz]

I think they were kind of pressured to give him the C. The departure of Alfredsson the year before and Spezza this year. They needed a poster boy to sell the tickets that the average fan will like. They should have either givin it to Philipps, Neil etc or done as Montreal did and go with no captain and see who emerges as the leader

This 100%. They felt like they had to give it to someone to fill the void, and so just gave it to their best player by default. Having said that though, I think fans and the media make a way bigger deal about who wears the C than the players ever do (see: Phaneuf - Toronto), and I don't think it has much to do with their place in the standings. Reality is that they're not a very good team right now. At the end of the day, I'm just not sure they had anyone that fit the bill to give the captaincy to, which in and of itself may be part of the problem...

 

[Feddz]

cheersgif