Ottawa Senators Hope To Continue Rolling Against Buffalo Sabres

The Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabres on March 6^th,2015. The Senators sit five points out of the 8th and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Sabres are dead last in the league. The Senators are coming off big wins during their western road trip. The Senators are 6-0-1 in their last seven games with Andrew Hammond being in net for all contests. If the Senators hope to squeak in to the playoffs they must pick up a win against Buffalo.

(19-40-5, 43 pts) 8^th in Atlantic Division

(28-23-11, 67 pts) 6th in Atlantic Division

10:30 PM

Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata, Ontario

TV/RADIO: RDS,TSN5

MATCH-UP HISTORY

The Senators have won two of their three match ups against the Buffalo Sabres this season. The last meeting between the teams saw Bobby Ryan earn a hat trick. The Senators beat the Sabres convincingly by a score of 5-2. Faces have changed in Buffalo. Chris Stewart, Anders Lindback, Jhonas Enroth, Tyler Myers, and Drew Stafford are just some of the players to be traded since the contest on December 29^th,2014.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mike Hoffman OTT – Hoffman leads the Senators with 23 goals. Hoffman has six points in his last five games. The Senators star will look to continue his scoring ways on Buffalo net minder Chad Johnson.

Erik Karlsson OTT- The Senators defenceman leads the team with 49 points. Karlsson logs heavy minutes every single game. He will look to lead the Senators to a victory over the leagues worst team. Karlsson has four points in his last three games.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

Hamburglar? – Will the Senators play Craig Anderson or Andrew Hammond? It is rumoured that Hammond will get the start again. He has played remarkably well for the Senators. Will Dave Cameron go back to Craig Anderson? Will it take a Hammond loss for Anderson to get back in net? These are questions that will be answered in the coming week. I would imagine he will ride Hammond until his play starts to falter.
Corsi AKA Shot Attempts– Buffalo is the worst team in even strength shot attempt percentage. Buffalo is last by a drastic margin. Buffalo sits at 37% the next closest team is Colorado at 43.8%. It has been suggested that Buffalo is tanking to increase their chances of getting Connor McDavid. Ottawa is a better team than Buffalo. The Senators must beat the Sabres to continue trying to obtain the final playoff spot. Ottawa is a better possession team than Buffalo.
Keeping Pace– The rest of March is key for Ottawa. The Senators have four games with teams fighting or in the final playoff spots. The Senators play Calgary after Buffalo, then play Boston. A win over Boston would be extremely helpful for the Senators playoff bid. The Senators have been on fire lately. It will take the hot streak continuing to have them playing playoff hockey.