Game #13 Preview – Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators
For the second Tuesday night in a row, the Buffalo Sabres pay a visit to Scotiabank place, and Sens fans are hoping for the same result.
5-7-1, T-10th Eastern Conference
VS.
6-4-2, 6th Eastern Conference
7:30 PM
TV: Rogers Sportsnet; Radio: Team 1200
HEAD TO HEAD
These two teams always seem to play close games. Last year they met 6 times, with each team winning 3. However, 4 of the games required extra time. Buffalo win twice in a shootout, while the Senators won 1 shootout and on overtime game. Ottawa held on to a 4-3 win last week.
Feb 5, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators centre Kyle Turris (7) and Buffalo Sabres centre Tyler Ennis (63) face off in the third period at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Sabres 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
LAST GAMES
Ottawa put forth their worst effort of the season in a 1-0 loss to Al Montoya and the Winnipeg Jets, much to the frustration of Senators fans. Buffalo dropped a 3-1 decision to Boston on Sunday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tyler Myers , BUF– His play has been less than stellar and he has been a healthy scratch from the previous two games. Maybe Lindy Ruff thinks he got the point, and according to the editor of our brother site Sabre Noise, there is confirmation that the former Calder winner will be in the lineup tonight.
Colin Greening , OTT– Greening is kind of an in-betweener. He can play an offensive role, but not really a legitimate top 6 forward. Then when you drop him to the bottom 6, he still leaves you wanting more in that role. He practised alongside Kyle Turris and Jackob Silfverberg yesterday, so it looks like Paul MacLean is counting on him to find some offense.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1. Line of Fire – Last week Ottawa held the line of Thomas Vanek, Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville to two points combined. If they can have the success against the Sabres top line again, they stand a good chance of winning.
2. Maul Miller– The focus of practice yesterday for the Senators was getting pucks and bodies to the net to create offense. The Senators need to make it a long night for Ryan Miller. Or score 3 or 4 early and make it a very short night for the struggling Buffalo goalie.
3. Mika the Man – Mika Zibanejad lined up between two all-stars at practice yesterday on the Senators top line. While he might be a better winger, team need has him playing in the middle and will give him more freedom to wheel and use his speed to help the Senators get out of the offensive doldrums. And maybe he can breathe some life into struggling Milan Michalek.
PARTING SHOT
No team allows more shots than the Sabres, while only one team has more shots per game than the Senators, meaning that Miller could see a lot of rubber tonight. The Senators focus yesterday means MacLean hopes lots of shots hit the net, but Miller won’t see them until they have tickled mesh. Maybe the Sabres porous defense is what the doctor ordered for the Senators offense as they begin the second quarter of the season.
Enjoy the game!