Senators at Panthers
THE STORY: The Ottawa Senators have won six of eight games to pull within three points of the Northeast Division-leading Boston Bruins. The Senators will try to make up more ground and continue their mastery of the Florida Panthers. Ottawa has won 17 of the last 20 games at Florida and nine in a row overall – including all three this season. The Panthers have dropped the last two contests and lead the Southeast Division by just two points.
TV: 6 p.m. ET; SNET-E, TVA, FS-FL.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (34-24-8): When they traded for Ben Bishop, it looked as if the Senators were acquiring the goaltender to replace injured Craig Anderson (lacerated finger). But Robin Lehner has taken the reins and won’t let go. The 20-year-old netminder has given up just four goals in the last three games. Jason Spezza continues his standout season with 22 points during an 11-game points streak. Milan Michalek has four goals in five games and needs one more for his first 30-goal season. Captain Daniel Alfredsson has three goals and four assists against the Panthers this season.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (30-22-12): The Panthers have been riding the roller coaster of late and the battle has been joined. Florida leads the Winnipeg Jets by two points, the Washington Capitals by three and the Tampa Bay Lightning by four in the Southeast. Playing without leading scorer Kris Versteeg (lower-body injury), the Panthers have 73 shots on goal the last two games and only scored once, Versteeg (49 points) is expected to miss his fourth straight game on Sunday. Scott Clemmensen started in goal for the Panthers on Saturday, so Jose Theodore is likely get the call against Ottawa.
OVERTIME:
1. Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson has 15 goals and 66 points, both tops among defensemen in the league.
2. Florida has allowed six power-play goals in the last six games.
3. Ottawa is 11-2-3 against the Southeast Division, including 6-0 against the two Florida teams.