Tonight, the Buffalo Sabres play host to the Senators in their preseason home opener at the KeyBank Center.
Robin Lehner will be the starting goaltender for the Sabres, and it looks like he’s up for the challenge against his former team.
“I feel like I prepared well. It’s a preseason game against a former team. Obviously I really want to win this one. But for me right now, it’s just getting back into the swing of things and getting repetition and start focusing on the first game of the season.” – Robin Lehner
The Swede last played March 16th, before undergoing season ending ankle surgery.
Also making their season debuts tonight are Tyler Ennis and the Sabres biggest offseason signing, Kyle Okposo. The pair look to skate alongside the recently resigned Zemgus Girgensons.
For Ennis, it’ll be his first action since December 30th after suffering a concussion. The agile winger will be looking to shake off any rust before the season opener against Montreal, on October 14th.
When asked if he was feeling anxious, Ennis responded “Yeah, I can’t wait. It’s been a long time, I’m looking forward to tonight.”
Fans will also have the opportunity to see some future Sabres in action, as Evan Rodrigues, Hudson Fasching and Nicholas Baptiste are set to take the ice.
The Senators are coming off a 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs, a game which former Sabre, Phil Varone, notched 2 goals and 2 assists. Ottawa is bringing a solid lineup to Buffalo, which will feature Dion Phaneuf and Bobby Ryan. Craig Anderson gets the start in net.
Tonight’s game can be seen on MSG and heard on WGR550, with Brian Duff and Rob Ray on the call.