GAME PREVIEW: BUFFALO @ OTTAWA

Friday, November 11, 2011: 7 pm, CBC, Team 1200

5th East (7-5-0)VST 6th East (8-5-0)

Your Ottawa Senators get back to work tonight as they play their second game in 24 hours as they line up against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Place. Coming off a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens last night, the Senators hope to stop their two-game slide and get back in the victory circle.

Ottawa will go with the same line-up from last night and starter Craig Anderson will look to continue his improve play over the last few games and snap the Sens losing streak. With a .500 record 14 games in to the season, Ottawa has yet to define themselves and nobody knows what to expect out of them yet. With the 20 game mark being a benchmark for most teams, these next six games will go a long way in deciding the course of the franchise this year.

Buffalo comes into Ottawa with two wins in their last six games and have yet to get rolling yet. Starter Ryan Miller has not been his regular self as he sports a record of 4-5. He’ll be in nets tonight against the Sens, but he has always had trouble with our boys. Ottawa will have to keep a close eye on Thomas Vanek as he has returned to his star status as he has 16 points in 12 games. 

Players to Watch

OTTAWA – Brian Lee has is finally seeing some game action. He played last night after he sat for seven straight games and is looking to stay in the line-up. He played well in his 14 minutes last night, and hopefully the kid can either earn more playing time or a trade to get his career on track.

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller looks to end his personal four game losing streak tonight. If the Sens can get to him early, maybe they can get him off his game. But tonight maybe the night Miller flicks the switch and returns to his MVP form. (Hopefully not)

Here is the Sens Projected Line-up for tonight:

Forwards:
Greening – Spezza – Michalek
Foligno – Da Costa – Butler
Daugavins – Smith – Neil
Filatov – Winchester – Condra

Defence:
Kuba – Karlsson
Phillips – Lee
Cowen – Gonchar

Goaltenders:
Anderson
Auld

For Ottawa to win tonight, they will need to play a full sixty minutes, and put the pedal to the medal and attack the Sabres. Ottawa will need to capitalize on the powerplay as its has been their bread and butter this season as they have failed to score on the man-advantage the last two games, which both were losses. With the Sens off until next Wednesday, a win tonight will make the week a lot easier than a three-game losing streak would.

Senshot is inviting all Sens fans to join us and our Buffalo Sabres affiliate Sabre Noise for a live chat this evening.  It will begin 30 minutes prior to game time. It will give you a chance to discuss the game live as it happens with not only Sens fans, but also fans of the enemy.  Sabre Noise has done a live chat a few times this season and has been pretty successful and enjoyable.  So trash talk when the Sens score on Miller, or chastise Filip Kuba for yet another giveaway.  Hate on overpaid Christian Ehrhoff or defend Alfie even though he isn’t playing. Join us starting at around 6:30 pm.

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