Lightning at Senators
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators came into the National Hockey League as expansions cousins in 1991. They've carved out different paths then, but both teams have similar goals as they meet Monday for the first time during their respective 20th anniversary seasons. The Lightning will be looking to halt a three-game losing skid, while the Senators have dropped two in a row. Tampa Bay's recent struggles have dropped the club into fourth place in the Southeast Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning are allowing more than three goals per game this season, and aren't getting much offense aside from sniper Steven Stamkos. The Senators finally return home after enduring a grueling stretch that saw them play nine of their last 10 games away from Ottawa. Nine of their next 12 games are at home, beginning Monday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sun Sports, RDS, Rogers Sportsnet East
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (11-12-2): Both teams have been to a Stanley Cup final in their 20 years of existence, but only the Lightning have won the championship. Those days must seem like a distant memory to Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, who helped lead Tampa Bay to the title back in 2004 but have fallen on hard times of late. St. Louis has only four goals and two assists over his last 11 games, while Lecavalier has four goals and two helpers in his past 10 outings.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (12-11-3): Ottawa has owned the all-time series against the Lightning, going 43-22-2-3 for a .650 winning percentage - the Senators' fourth-highest mark against any team. The club can only hope history is on its side as it looks to recover from a pair of one-goal losses. Milan Michalek had the tying goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals, evening him with Phil Kessel and Stamkos for the league lead with 16.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams split four meetings last season. Three of their last six encounters have been decided in overtime or a shootout.
2. Michalek has six goals and four assists in 10 career meetings with the Lightning.
3. Stamkos is tied for third in the NHL in road goals with nine. Only Michalek and Jonathan Toews of Chicago have more, with 10 apiece.