Senators face electric lineup

Watch out for the battle of firstline left wingers Steven Stamkos and Brady Tkachuk when Tampa and Ottawa hook up on Saturday.

Stamkos arrives in Ottawa fresh off a four-point effort in Thursday’s 7-3 romp over Toronto. The line of Stamkos, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov combined for five goals and six assists.

Tkachuk, meanwhile, made a third-period defensive gaffe that helped pave the way for the St. Louis Blues’ third-period comeback Thursday. Tyler Ennis is expected to stay on the top line with Tkachuk and Colin White.

Here are five things to watch for when Tampa lines up in Ottawa:

1

Making their Point

How’s that for a season debut? Point scored twice and added an assist in his first game back from a hip injury and the Senators face a huge task in trying to keep him off the scoresheet.

2

Goaltending improvement Anders Nilsson pointed the finger at himself for allowing five goals against St. Louis, including the game winner to David Perron late in the third period that somehow slipped through him. Craig Anderson will get the start.

3

Turning on the power

It’s hard to criticize the Senators’ play with the man advantage Thursday. They didn’t have a single opportunity, a point that coach D.J. Smith brought up several times.

4

No Russian to judgment

Artem Anisimov and Vitaly Abramov scored their first goals for Ottawa Thursday, while Nikita Zaitsev and Vladislav Namestnikov picked up their first assists.

5

Mcelhinney watch

After facing backup goalies Aleksandar Georgiev and Jake Allen, the Senators might get a look at Lightning No. 2 netminder Curtis Mcelhinney.