Game Day: Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators
By Kevin Lee
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
CBC, Team 1200
10th East (31-29-8)@7th East (36-25-8)
The Buffalo Sabres visit the Ottawa Senators for tonight’s tilt. The Senators are riding high after beating the New York Rangers, the top team in the Eastern conference. They are hoping to continue against a hungry Buffalo team. With just over ten games remaining in the season for most teams, the Sabres desperately need to win this game to have any shot at sneaking in the playoffs. The Senators have come out victorious in 3 of the 5 meetings so far this season.
The Sabres’ two leading scorers are miles ahead of everyone else on their team. Jason Pominville leads the team with 62 points (25G 37A) and Thomas Vanek quite behind with 50 points (23G 27A). If the Sens can keep those two quiet, a win is quite likely. Ryan Miller will likely get the start and he’s been hot as of late. However, his stats this season are respectable, but underwhelming as he sports a 2.58 GAA and a .915 SV%. He will be facing off against the newest Sens goaltender, Ben Bishop.
Senators forward Jesse Winchester (concussion) and Peter Regin (shoulder) are still out with injuries. As well, Bobby Butler, Zenon Konopka, and Matt Carkner remain healthy scratches. For the Sabres, Thomas Vanek and defenceman Andrej Sekera will both be game time decisions. Jochen Hecht remains out with a concussion.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ben Bishop, G (OTT) – After an average game against Tampa and a great one against the Rangers, Sens fans are curious to see how Bishop fares in his 3rd game with the big club.
Derek Roy, C (BUF) – Roy has consistently been a Sens killer and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if that continues tonight.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
1. Rob Klinkhammer Game Watch – This is Klinkhammer’s 3rd NHL game. Two more this season and the Sens owe Chicago their 2013 7th round draft pick.
2. Secondary Scoring – The Sens finally got some secondary scoring going the past few games. Will that continue tonight?
3. EK65 Cold – Erik Karlsson only has 1 point in his last 4 games. For any other defenceman that wouldn’t be considered a cold streak, but Karlsson has set offensive expectations that much higher than his peers.
Be sure to check back here on SenShot for a complete recap after the game. GO SENS GO!!!
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