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The Sens will have a real challenge against Buffalo

By Naftali Clinton

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 21: Ottawa Senators Goalie Marcus Hogberg (35) makes a save in tight on Philadelphia Flyers Right Wing Travis Konecny (11) with Ottawa Senators Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) in to assist during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on December 21, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 21: Ottawa Senators Goalie Marcus Hogberg (35) makes a save in tight on Philadelphia Flyers Right Wing Travis Konecny (11) with Ottawa Senators Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) in to assist during first period National Hockey League action between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators on December 21, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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With a plethora of injuries plaguing the Senators lineup they will have a big challenge keeping the Sabres goal scorers at bay.

The Senators currently have four of their main defencemen injured going into tonights game. Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey, Christian Wolanin and Dylan Demelo will all not be suiting up to play this game.

Chrisitan Wolanin’s injury happened before the season even began when he tore his labrum in his shoulder. He will likely miss another month or two more, unless he can pull a Pageau and come back two months early.

All of these injuries mean that the Senators blueline is virtually an AHL blueline except for Thomas Chabot and Mark Borowiecki. Cody Goloubef will have an increased role alongside Chabot on the top pairing.

While Brannstrom is getting a real opportunity here with increased ice time and time on the power play, which has seen an uptick in recent games.

The second pairing will be Erik Brannstrom with Mark Borowiecki, a mixture of skill and grit to combat the other teams best players. While at the same time creating offence in an effort to score goals, which the Senators have struggled to do this year.

The third pairing is a very inexperienced one with Max Lajoie and Andreas Englund receiving a call up from the AHL to suit up in the absence of all those players on the IR.

A sound strategy to stop Jack Eichel and the Sabres would be to out-match them physically.

Thomas Chabot’s ice time may exceed 40 minutes, that would be something to watch. Last game against the Flyers he might’ve done just that if not for his two minor penalties in the first period.

If Chabot doesn’t take a penalty and the game goes to overtime, it’s almost probable that he’ll play close to or over 40 minutes.

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