Game 52 preview: Ottawa Senators @ Buffalo Sabres

The Ottawa Senators will continue their push for a better draft pick when they visit the Buffalo Sabres tonight. Ottawa is 14 points ahead of last place Buffalo but while they are currently sixth last, the Senators are only four points ahead of third last. A victory here could be very costly especially with both the Devils and Lumbus losing last night.

Dave Cameron isn't on board with #TeamTank just yet and will scratch one of his worst defencemen of late, Cody Ceci, and replace him with his second best defenceman in Patrick Wiercioch. Bobby Ryan will be a game time decision.

Here are the lines from Sylvain St-Laurent.

MacArthur - Zibanejad - Michalek
Lazar - Turris - Stone
Hoffman - Pageau - Chiasson
Condra - Legwand - Neil

Methot - Karlsson
Cowen - Gryba
Borowiecki - Wiercioch

Lehner (starter)
Hammond

Some notes for tonight:

• Ottawa has scored only one goal in each of its last three games.
• Robin Lehner was rather angry at the end of the last game wasn't he? Goodness gracious.
• Cody Ceci was on the ice for all four goals against Lumbus.
• The Senators were 19 points out of a playoff game spot in 2010-2011. Will they be further out this season?
• Erik Karlsson is 8 Fenwicks away from getting to 50% 5-on-5 Fenwick for the season. His Corsi is 52.09%. He does get a lot of shots blocked doesn't he?
• Chris Phillips is mysteriously out for a week after reaching his milestone. Is this a subtle way to let him know that he is no longer needed? Or am I too hopeful here?
• For all the club's defensive problems, they are in the bottom half in scoring and around the middle in shots on goal. I suppose increased defensive play might also lead to more offensive zone time.
• If Bobby Ryan isn't playing and Mike Hoffman is still not in the top six...that is just really bizarre.
• Buffalo is really awful. Look at those stats below. My Lord! :O/

Here are some stats for the two teams tonight. All stats are from NHL.com except Corsi and Fenwick are from naturalstattrick.com.