The Ottawa Senators are set to visit the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The Senators, under the guidance of head coach Travis Green, hold a season record of 38-25-10 and are positioned fifth in the Eastern Atlantic Division. This game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 1:00 PM.
On the other side, the Tampa Bay Lightning, led by head coach Jon Cooper, have amassed a record of 44-22-6 and sit second in the same division. The Lightning will look to leverage their home advantage as they aim to maintain their strong conference position. Their recent form includes a mix of wins and losses, with a notable win against the Minnesota Wild.
Ottawa enters this contest after a close 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins but has shown resilience in recent games with victories against teams like the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Drake Batherson has been a standout performer for the Senators, contributing significantly on the score sheet. The odds favor Tampa Bay, with the Lightning being pegged as the favorites in this matchup.
Lightning vs Senators At a Glance
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Venue: Benchmark International Arena
- Team Records: Ottawa Senators 38-25-10, Tampa Bay Lightning 44-22-6
- Game Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning MoneyLine: -163, Ottawa Senators MoneyLine: +139
- Top Goalie Stats: Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed 4 goals on 20 shots in his last game.
Lightning Strike: Tampa Bay’s Power Play Performance
Ottawa Senators Overview
The Ottawa Senators enter this game with a focus on improving their offensive capabilities. They have scored 256 goals, ranking second in the league this season. Their ability to create scoring opportunities could pose a significant challenge for the Lightning defense.
On the defensive side, the Senators have allowed 186 goals against, placing them third in the league. This strong defensive record highlights their ability to limit opposing teams’ scoring chances.
Key Players to Watch
Ottawa’s power play unit has been effective, with 49 power play goals, ranking them seventh. This efficiency with the man advantage will be crucial against a Lightning team that thrives on special teams.
The Senators have accumulated 1415 hits, placing them 19th in the league. This physical playstyle might be a factor in wearing down the Lightning over the course of the game.
Goaltending Performance
Ottawa’s goaltending has been a strength, with 1711 saves. This impressive number of saves indicates a high level of play from their netminders, providing a reliable last line of defense.
Despite their strong goaltending, the Senators have yet to record a shutout this season. This could be a concern against a high-scoring team like Tampa Bay.
Ottawa Senators Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 30-25 (54.5%)
- Puckline All Games: 32-23 (58.2%)
- O/U All Games: 28-27 (50.9%)
- SU as Favorite: 20-15 (57.1%)
- SU as Underdog: 10-10 (50.0%)
Ottawa Senators Set to Challenge in Upcoming Game
Dynamic Offense
The Ottawa Senators’ offense has been effective, ranking 9th in the league with 239 goals this season. Their playmakers have been active, securing 420 assists which ranks them 6th overall. This offensive capability is further emphasized by their 2086 shots on goal, placing them 10th among their peers.
Additionally, their power play proficiency has been a significant contributor, with 54 power play goals ranking them 4th in the league. This demonstrates their ability to capitalize on man-advantage situations.
Physical Play and Defense
Ottawa’s physical game is notable with 1725 hits, making them the 3rd most physical team in the league. Their defense is further supported by 971 blocks, although they rank 23rd in this category, highlighting room for improvement.
The Senators have been exceptional in faceoffs, winning 2194, ranking 3rd, which contributes to puck possession and control. However, their 994 giveaways indicate areas to tighten up defensively.
Goaltending Insights
The Senators’ goaltending has allowed 210 goals against, placing them 16th in the league. They have made 1527 saves, showcasing their ability to withstand offensive pressure.
Despite their efforts in net, the lack of shutouts indicates a need for the Senators to enhance their defensive strategies in crucial moments.
Recent Performance
In their recent games, the Senators have shown resilience with key wins against formidable opponents like the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Their ability to edge out close games, like the 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, highlights their competitive nature.
Their latest game against the Pittsburgh Penguins saw them lose narrowly by 1 goal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their momentum in upcoming contests.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU Last 10: 8-2 (80.0%)
- SU All Games: 32-24 (57.1%)
- SU as Favorite: 26-15 (63.4%)
- SU as Underdog: 6-9 (40.0%)
- Puckline Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- Puckline Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 27-29 (48.2%)
- Puckline as Favorite: 18-23 (43.9%)
- Puckline as Underdog: 9-6 (60.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- O/U Last 5: 1-4 (20.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
- O/U All Games: 30-26 (53.6%)
Lightning vs Senators Prediction: Lightning -163
The Tampa Bay Lightning, with a strong home record and a second-place standing in the Eastern Atlantic Division, are favored to win against the Ottawa Senators. The Lightning have been impressive with a 44-22-6 record, showcasing their ability to handle pressure in critical games. Meanwhile, the Senators, though competitive, have shown vulnerability against divisional opponents, holding a division record of 8-12.
Looking at the odds, the Lightning’s moneyline stands at -163, suggesting confidence in their ability to secure a victory. In contrast, the Senators come in as the underdog with a moneyline of +139. Given Tampa Bay’s recent form, winning 3 of their last 3 games, the statistics lean heavily in favor of the home team.
The head-to-head history indicates that the Senators won their only meeting this season. However, the Lightning’s current momentum and overall stronger season performance suggest they are likely to reverse that result. Tampa Bay’s effective strategies and home advantage at the Benchmark International Arena provide a solid foundation for this prediction.
Based on the available data, the Lightning are expected to edge out the Senators with a projected final score of 4-3. This outcome aligns with the recent trends and strengths shown by the Lightning in their previous games.
- Lightning vs Senators Prediction: Lightning -163
- Lightning vs Senators Score: Lightning 4 – Senators 3
