Coming in of a solid win in Tampa, the Senators would like to duplicate that performance against another divisional rival that has fading playoff hopes in the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres are tied with the Lightning for last in the Eastern Conference, but they are still clinging to playoff aspirations, although slim, sitting 8 points out with a bunch of teams to pass. They pretty much need to go on a Blue Jackets-type run to get themselves back into contention but as the saying goes - at least there is a chance - such is parity in the NHL.

The Senators got a much needed and expected win on Thursday, playing what was as close to the game plan as they could play. They limited the shots on goal and used transition and power plays to their advantage. Their best players were their best players with Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson all having multi-point nights, which is a key to success.

Ottawa has not had a great amount of success against the Sabres, with this being their fourth meeting of the season. Buffalo has nabbed 5 out of six points, with the Sens lone win coming in the first meeting - a 2-1 shootout victory. It has been a road warrior series, with Buffalo winning both times in Ottawa and the Senators coming on the good end of the result in Buffalo, which is where the game will be played tonight.

Mike Condon, who will extend his franchise record for consecutive appearances tonight was in the Ottawa net for the win, while Craig Anderson took both losses, with all games coming in November.

Ottawa will have an opportunity to capitalize on a leaky Sabres defensive game, which has allowed at least 32 shots on goal in each of their last 9 games, and they have been playing high-event, run and gun hockey, having 37 shots or more themselves in six of those 9 games. They have lost their last three games, allowing 11 goals against, with the latest loss coming in overtime to the New York Rangers. The Sabres have been unable to put together and extended streak, and this current losing streak has followed a nice three game winning streak that had brought a ray of hope.

Ottawa is in a good position, and this is another one of those games that on paper they should win. The Atlantic Division is about to get tighter with the Panthers getting back Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov yesterday in time to make some noise before the trade deadline, as they kept themselves right in the middle of the playoff race without two of their top line forwards for an extended period, and they will be fresh and chomping at the bit to make some noise. Barkov hadn't played since December 28th and Huberdeau made his season debut, scoring the winner against the Ducks on a set up from Barkov.

This one will wrap up Ottawa's post All-Star break road trip, and they have the opportunity to come home with 4 of 6 points all coming against divisional rivals. They need to have road success, because they have more road than home games left (14 home, 18 away) after tonight. This will be a good month to continue their upward trend, because you could argue that there are no elite teams on their schedule for the month. There are no gimmes in this league, and I am not saying that they will go on a 13 game winning streak this month, but every game in February is a winnable one.

Join the Discussion: » 7 Comments » Post New Comment

» Goodbye, and good luck!

» Can Colin White fill the #2C role as early as next year?

» Boucher staying put, at least for now

» Boucher Day

» Sens fall to #4 in draft lottery