GDT: GAME 55 | Senators @ Lightning | Sunshine State of Mind Edition | Thu Feb 6 2025, 7PM | TSN5, RDS

[L'Aveuglette]

OTTAWA SENATORS (29-21-4) @ TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (28-20-4)
TV: RDS, TSN5 | Radio: TSN 1200, 94.5 Unique-FM

Preview: Senators at Lightning, February 6, 2025 | Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are back for a rematch against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET.

www.nhl.com

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The Ottawa Senators are back for a rematch against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET. Tonight’s game will be the second in a row between the two teams.​

PROJECTED LINEUP

Tkachuk - Greig - Giroux
Perron - Stutzle - Amadio
Highmore - Ostapchuk - Batherson
Reinhardt - Gaudette

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Hamonic
Matinpalo

Forsberg Starts
Ullmark backs up







PREVIOUS MATCHUP

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[L'Aveuglette]

 

[armani]

As I posted elsewhere, it was Ullmark's first game in 44 days was a tough one where he faced over 30 shots, so they are expectedly managing his workload to keep his back in shape while Forsberg is in form to do the job tonight. Ullmark will see his share of workloads in the 4 Nations, so keeping him healthy for the stretch is a priority. I expect Ullmark to start more after the tournament.

If Pinto isn't in the IR already, I see it as positive news. The MRI hopefully came out negative with him not officially ruled out against Florida (but take your time to make sure Pinto is a 100%..a healthy roster will get us there).

 

[L'Aveuglette]

As I posted elsewhere, it was Ullmark's first game in 44 days was a tough one where he faced over 30 shots, so they are expectedly managing his workload to keep his back in shape while Forsberg is in form to do the job tonight. Ullmark will see his share of workloads in the 4 Nations, so keeping him healthy for the stretch is a priority. I expect Ullmark to start more after the tournament.

If Pinto isn't in the IR already, I see it as positive news. The MRI hopefully came out negative with him not officially ruled out against Florida (but take your time to make sure Pinto is a 100%..a healthy roster will get us there).

Why the f*** are we the ones 'managing his back" so he can play at the 4 Nations?

If we want to make sure he stays healthy, it's the 4N tournament he needs to stay away from.

 

[DrEasy]

Ullmark had a few close encounters with Tampa forwards last game and seemed to get up gingerly once; wonder if he still needs a bit of time to recover.

If Pinto is close to returning, might as well wait till after the break. I don't want him to risk another injury or not play at 100% against the Panthers.

 

[armani]

Why the f*** are we the ones 'managing his back" so he can play at the 4 Nations?

If we want to make sure he stays healthy, it's the 4N tournament he needs to stay away from.

I think it's just managing his back period. He just came off 44 days of no hockey, to a divisional playoff type game against TBL. When Merilainen got sent down, I had the inkling that this is how they will manage his workload. Compared to previous regime, this ownership/management/coaching group is very secretive about injuries and players health, and seem to be very cautious about player injuries. Playing safe than sorry, and thus far the team is still competing for a spot so that's good news.

If the back is still not right, I don't see him playing in the 4 Nations. If he does, that's positive as we will have a goalie that's ready to go after the tournament (barring injuries).

 

[DackellDuck]

I think it's just managing his back period. He just came off 44 days of no hockey, to a divisional playoff type game against TBL. When Merilainen got sent down, I had the inkling that this is how they will manage his workload. Compared to previous regime, this ownership/management/coaching group is very secretive about injuries and players health, and seem to be very cautious about player injuries. Playing safe than sorry, and thus far the team is still competing for a spot so that's good news.

If the back is still not right, I don't see him playing in the 4 Nations. If he does, that's positive as we will have a goalie that's ready to go after the tournament (barring injuries).

Do you think Sweden will manage him too, or will they play him every game if they think that helps them win the thing?

If he can’t play two games in a row in Ottawa, he shouldn’t be going to a tournament where he may very well have to play 2, 3 or 4 games in a row.

 

[bicboi64]

Do you think Sweden will manage him too, or will they play him every game if they think that helps them win the thing?

If he can’t play two games in a row in Ottawa, he shouldn’t be going to a tournament where he may very well have to play 2, 3 or 4 games in a row.

I hope Gustafsson gets the majority of the starts, I doubt Ersson gets more than one start and is certainly playing less than whatever they give Ullmark. At this point, all we can do is hope the Sweden coaching staff don't prioritize winning over Ullmark's health.

 

[BondraTime]

I hope Gustafsson gets the majority of the starts, I doubt Ersson gets more than one start and is certainly playing less than whatever they give Ullmark. At this point, all we can do is hope the Sweden coaching staff don't prioritize winning over Ullmark's health.

Of course they will, as will all the players.

None of the players going, for any country, are going to be taking it easy.

If Sweden wants Ullmark ok for 5 games in a row, he’s going to ply it if he’s healthy, as shitty as it is for the Sens

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

This team would bench prime Methot for Hamonic if they had the chance.

 

[armani]

I hope Gustafsson gets the majority of the starts, I doubt Ersson gets more than one start and is certainly playing less than whatever they give Ullmark. At this point, all we can do is hope the Sweden coaching staff don't prioritize winning over Ullmark's health.

Do you think Sweden will manage him too, or will they play him every game if they think that helps them win the thing?

If he can’t play two games in a row in Ottawa, he shouldn’t be going to a tournament where he may very well have to play 2, 3 or 4 games in a row.

I hope Ullmark is healthy, starts and does really well and carries that momentum for the Sens for their stretch run. The opposite is a worse case scenario for Ottawa IMHO.

He just got back after 44 days off layoff and had a game with lots of workload. This is workload management, if it was one the last few games of the season to clinch, Ullmark would have started tonight. I don't think he has back issues if he is the backup, when Merilainen can be called up.

Of course they will, as will all the players.

None of the players going, for any country, are going to be taking it easy.

If Sweden wants Ullmark ok for 5 games in a row, he’s going to ply it if he’s healthy, as shorty as it is for the Sens

Pretty much.

 

[bicboi64]

I hope Ullmark i healthy, starts and does really well and carries that momentum for the Sens for their stretch run. The opposite is a worse case scenario for Ottawa IMHO.

That's best case scenario, hope it happens too. I just want our recently extended goalie to be as close to 100% & ready to go when its time for NHL games

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Ullmark let in just as many goals as Vasi last game.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Maybe Greig can belt Paul early in tonight's game again

 

[Relapsing]

We all know how important it is to win tonight. Hopefully the guys can get it done.

f*** Tampa, and the sweaty, pustule ridden crotch of a state they live in. The only good part of that City is the old Ybor district. Gator is the chewiest meat ever. Their beaches have more leather than a tannery. The people that live there have such a low opinion of themselves that they'll go out in their front lawns in tightly whiteys. I once saw a man in a casino playing poker while a masseuse with a hip mounted lotion pump worked his back.

It is the state where shame goes to die. What a shit hole.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Man. That's a depressing ass line-up. Lmfao.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Said it yesterday but stu has to hit a level we haven’t seen yet. This has to be his coming out game.

 

[aragorn]

Is Gregor ready to get back into the lineup yet?

 

[Alf Silfversson]

We all know how important it is to win tonight. Hopefully the guys can get it done.

f*** Tampa, and the sweaty, pustule ridden crotch of a state they live in. The only good part of that City is the old Ybor district. Gator is the chewiest meat ever. Their beaches have more leather than a tannery. The people that live there have such a low opinion of themselves that they'll go out in their front lawns in tightly whiteys. I once saw a man in a casino playing poker while a masseuse with a hip mounted lotion pump worked his back.

It is the state where shame goes to die. What a shit hole.

 

[Relapsing]

I'm on the edge of my seat to see what this gif is

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Said it yesterday but stu has to hit a level we haven’t seen yet. This has to be his coming out game.

I know he has been getting his cookies but I find his game has fallen off quite a bit from the start of the year.
They are likely playing him tonight with Perron and Amadio.. I like those players but imo Greig is better suited to center them than Stutzle. I don't get that fit.
Maybe they plan on cycling the Centers thru the 4 lines in a 11 7 or just spotting a C and going more 3 lines than 4.

I'd even go Perron Ostapchuk Amadio ; (more straight line) Reinhardt Stutzle Batherson (more speed)

Greig could play on all 3 lines and do his thing; I've liked him and Perron together

We saw somewhat a version of this before on the road to try to balance the lines .. but we had Pinto and Norris then.
I guess we'll see if Green can pull a rabbit out of his hat tonight.

Is Gregor ready to get back into the lineup yet?

He was put on LTIR to get Ullmark back in

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Maybe they second guessed themselves on over playing Ullmark when he went down and they are looking to stagger games.

 

[Golden_Jet]

This team would bench prime Methot for Hamonic if they had the chance.

They only have 18 skaters, it’s an 11-7 tonight, probably centres will get some double shifting on the fourth line.

 

[Schmautz11]

Said it yesterday but stu has to hit a level we haven’t seen yet. This has to be his coming out game.

Well if he keeps trending like he has for the past few weeks or so, that level could be a new low. Besides a few flashes here and there, he has been a give away machine, very weak in puck battles, stick handles his way to a give away in a bad spot (with a spinarama wipe out right after) far too often. IMO, all these bad habits can be coached out of him so hope he figures it out soon cause the upside he has is very appealing, not to mention needed.

 

[Mr Hat]

This is a huge game, with our injuries winning one of three games is good enough until the break vs bolts and panthers. Much better chance vs the bolts who are also down a center vs a healthy panthers who are tough to beat even when healthy. If we lose these two it’s back to being in the middle of the WC2 race vs 3rd in division.