Game 75
Buffalo Sabres (31-35-9) vs. Ottawa Senators (26-43-6)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | Canadian Tire Center | Ottawa, ON
TV: MSG-B, MSG+
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Senators Blog: Silver Seven
Know Your Opponent
Ottawa Senators
Record: 26-43-6
Last 10: 4-5-1
Division Ranking: 8th in the Atlantic Division
Conference Ranking: 16th in the Eastern Conference
PP: 15th (20.3%)
PK: 23rd (79.1%)
What to Watch
1. Mittelstadt back in?
With just eight games left on the docket, the Sabres made a head-scratching decision to bench Casey Mittelstadt last night in a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The decision is particularly bizarre considering the team’s lack of depth down the middle and Mittelstadt’s improved play during the second half of the season. We’ll see if he makes a return. After all, the nightly lineup is based on wins and losses, right?
2. Inconsistency in net
Both the Sabres and the Senators have struggled between the pipes this season. Fans in Buffalo are well-versed in the performance dip we’ve seen from both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark since November. On the other side, Craig Anderson and former-Sabre, Anders Nilsson have left a lot to be desired behind a patchwork defensive corps. Last week, Anderson finally achieved victory against the Edmonton Oilers after losing 13-consecutive games prior.
3. Last few chances at a win
This contest isn’t the last time these two teams will square-off this season. Their final matchup will take place in Buffalo on April 4. With tough gamesdown the stretch, this might be their last chance to secure two points.
4. Will Borgen recalled
Phil Housley mentioned this morning on WGR550 that he had some players sick and banged up. We’ll if and where Borgen plays tonight later.
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Conor Sheary – Jack Eichel – Alex Nylander
Jeff Skinner – Evan Rodrigues – Sam Reinhart
Tage Thompson – Vladimir Sobotka – Jason Pominville
Zemgus Girgensons – Johan Larsson – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Zach Bogosian – Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin – Brandon Montour
Marco Scandella – Casey Nelson
Will Borgen
Starting Goaltender: Carter Hutton (expected)
Ottawa Senators
Forwards
Brady Tkachuk – Colin White – Max Veronneau
Rudolfs Balcers – Chris Tierney – Magnus Paajarvi
Oscar Lindberg – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Bobby Ryan
Anthony Duclair – Brian Gibbons – Mikkel Boedker
Defense
Thomas Chabot – Christian Jaros
Christian Wolanin – Dylan Demelo
Ben Harpur – Mark Borowiecki
Starting Goaltender: Craig Anderson