The bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference square off tonight in Buffalo, and amid swirling storylines about his future, the spotlight will be on Erik Karlsson to set the tone for the Ottawa Senators as they wrap up this dismal 7 game road trip with a win.

As bad as the Sabres have been this season, Ottawa might be catching them at the wrong time because Buffalo has points in 3 straight games for the first time this season. They are coming off of back to back overtime losses in Chicago and St. Louis, after beating the Avs in Denver. This will be their first game home off a four game road trip, so the Senators will hope to take advantage of the fact that that is usually a tough go for the home side.

The schedule maker didn't do the Sens any favors, with the fact that this is the first half of a back to back, with the Rangers likely sitting in Ottawa watching tonight's game after their shootout loss to the Stars on Monday.

If Ottawa is ever going to break out of this slump, they pretty much have to start tonight, and they have to impose their will on an inferior opponent, or they become the inferior opponent.

Buffalo scores the fewest goals per game in the league despite getting nearly 31 shots per game on average, and they also allow the third most goals per game (right next to Ottawa's 4th most). Having been shut out in three of their last four outings, maybe old friend Robin Lehner will do his old squad a favor and let them build up some offensive confidence and even give Chad Johnson a chance to appear in the game as well.

It will be nice for the team to get home, and I am sure they are looking forward to it, but they can't look past any opponent, even the Sabres at this point.

The Sabres are 2-9-4 in their last 15 games, and have scored just 9 goals in their last 7 games. The Senators are 1-9-2 since returning from Sweden, and have scored just 18 goals in those 12 games (6 of those coming in their win over the Islanders).

Special teams will also be an adventure, as both teams have been dreadful of late. Buffalo does have a power play goal in each of their last two games, but prior to that they didn't score in 10 games (29 chances). They have also allowed four power play goals against in their last four games, on 19 chances. Obviously Ottawa's offensive struggles have translated to the power play, with just 1 goal in the last 4 games (14 chances) while they have allowed 6 power play goals against in the last 5 games (18 opportunities).

There is a lot of frustration in Sens Army, and no doubt among the players, staff, management and ownership. If they are antsy already, a loss to the Sabres will turn that unease up to 11.

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