GAME PREVIEW: SENS VS. LIGHTNING

The series so far

Back on Oct. 11, a Mika Zibanejad shootout goal decided it, giving Ottawa a 3-2 win in Tampa. One talented Tampa Bay Lightning player the Senators may not have to deal with in the rematch on Saturday is defenceman Victor Hedman. The 23-year-old Swede, who broke out for 55 points last season, has been out about six weeks with a fractured finger but is close to returning.

Players to watch

Nikita Kucherov, Lightning: There were growing pains for the dynamic Russian last season, but the 21-yearold seems to be figuring out the NHL so far in 2014-15. He entered the week with seven goals and 11 assists in 22 games, and had been held off the scoresheet only four times in his past 15 games. He’s done all this while averaging only 13:37 in ice time a game, but in the past two had jumped into the 16- and 17-minute range. Anton Stralman, Lightning: It wasn’t huge news when the former New York Ranger signed a five-year deal with Tampa Bay in the off- season. He was a steady, smoothskating defenceman who could log lots of minutes, but he produced only a goal and 12 assists in 81 games last season. Already this season (entering this week), he’d scored twice and assisted on 10, was a team-leading plus 12 and led all Tampa Bay players in ice time per game (22:48). Mike Hoffman, Senators: Before the game against Florida, the shifty forward with the superior shot had been be held off the scoresheet for the most part (two assists) since the game against the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 13. Time for a breakout?

Capital connection

There were concerns about former Ottawa Senators goalie Ben Bishop coming into the season after offseason wrist surgery, but all appears to be OK. He entered the week with a 12-3-2 record (tied for fourth in NHL in wins), although his goals-against average (2.30) and save percentage (.917) likely wouldn’t be enough to make him a repeat Vezina Trophy finalist. TV: Saturday, 7 p.m., HNIC Radio: TSN 1200