Game 76 Preview: Buffalo Sabres @ Ottawa Senators

The Sens are back home after the Western Canada swing, and play host to the Buffalo Sabres.

No lineup changes after Saturday’s win in Edmonton. Zack Smith skated today and might be back for Thursday, but no word on Cody Ceci. Here are today’s lineups from the morning skate:

Game Notes

• The Sabres are ice cold with a record of 1-8-1 in their last 10 games. It’s been over a month since they’ve managed points in consecutive games, and they haven’t had back-to-back wins since early December.
• Thanks to a mini-streak, the Kings are now six points up on Ottawa for 30th. With only seven games left that’s a big hill to climb.
• Marc Crawford has a goal for Brady Tkachuk - lead the league’s rookies in shots. He’s got a 14 shot lead on Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov for that right now, in 11 fewer games played.
• It’s not just shots on net. Tkachuk also leads the rookies in unblocked shots, scoring chances and high danger chances, and is second in total shot attempts to Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen. This isn’t just overall, but also true at 5 on 5.
• How much better did the team look on Saturday with Thomas Chabot back in the lineup?
• Not related to tonight’s game, but best wishes to former Senator Nick Foligno and his family. The Folignos’ 22 month old son was hospitalized two weeks ago for severe pneumonia. Sounds like Hudson is improving, but remains in intensive care./

Here are some stats from NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick:

Team Stats

Player Stats