After an exciting comeback victory against the New York Islanders on Saturday night at the First Niagara Center, the Sabres prepare for a division rival that stand right above them in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo are in Ottawa this evening to take on the struggling Senators.
The Sabres had their home crowd out of their seats in excitement after rallying all the way from a 3-0 deficit to a 4-3 win over the Islanders. A huge shorthanded goal from Zemgus Girgensons brought the Sabres within one, but the crowd was even louder when Chris Stewart tied the game.
“You could feel it in the air,” Stewart said. The comeback was happening. The energy was incredible.”
It was a well-deserved victory for the Sabres as Jhonas Enroth improved to 5-0 in shootouts this season, allowing one goal on 21 shots. The win also snapped a four game skid for Buffalo.
“Our fans I think are the greatest in the league, we were very appreciative of the standing ovation at the end of the game,” said Ted Nolan.
The Senators are ahead of Buffalo in the standings by four points and are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings. Gustav Nyquist won it for Detroit with 48 seconds left in the overtime.
It was the third consecutive loss for Ottawa, a team that has scored just four goals in the past three games.
Tonight marks the second meeting of the season between these two clubs. The Sabres took the first meeting exactly two weeks ago from tonight, a 5-4 shootout victory.
Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson lead the Senators with 23 points apiece with Bobby Ryan right behind them at 22. In the earlier meeting this season, Buffalo faced backup Robin Lehner, but it appears that Craig Anderson will be between the pipes for this one.
Ottawa brings a 7-4-4 home record into this one compared to 7-10-3 on the road. Meanwhile, the Sabres are 4-11-1 on the road, but 10-8-2 at home.
Tonight’s game is scheduled for a slightly later start time of 7:30 p.m. and it can be seen on MSG, as well as heard on WGR 550.