This is a Free #NHL play on the Tampa Lightning.

The Senators missed the playoffs last year, and after losing Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky this off-season, there's not much reason to expect a turnaround here this season. Ottawa lost it's opener on the road at Nashville, getting out-shot 37-20 by the Predators. Goaltender Craig Anderson saw his GAA balloon to 3.00 last season, from 1.69 the previous year. The Sens defense hasn't done him any favors, as he sees an awful lot of rubber every night.

The Lightning won their home opener against Florida, scoring all three of their goals on the power-play. Success on special teams is nothing new for Tampa, as they had one of the most potent power-play units in the Eastern Conference last season. The Sens penalty killing unit was well below average last season, and they surrendered a power-play goal in the loss to Nashville in their opener.

Steven Stamkos didn't find the net in the win over Florida, but it's only a matter of time before the league's most prolific scorer fills the net.

The Sens have lost four of their last five visits to Tampa, and they'll likely be in way over their heads tonight.

Take TB.

GL,
Jesse Schule