Game 9: Sabres/Senators Preview

The Sabres face off at the Bank tonight against the much hated Senators. The Senators come into this game struggling going 2-5-1 in their first eight games. The main problem with this team is they have issues on both offense and defense. Their offense is scoring 2.75 goals per game which is 19th in the league while they allow 3.12 goals per game which is 16th in the league. Goalie Martin Gerber has been anything but spectacular with a 3.39 GAA and .891 SV%. The backup Alex Auld has been better with a 2.70 GAA and .921 SV%.

The Sabres have their fair share of issues in the injury department. Defenseman Henrik Tallinder went down in the game against the Avalanche and is still having trouble skating. At this time it is not known whether the Sabres will call up Mike Weber but if Tallinder is a no go for this game then expect Weber to be in the lineup. Paul Gaustad and Tim Connolly are progressing well but probably will not see action tonight. I would expect to see Gaustad in the lineup sometime this week but Connolly should sit on the bench until warranted. This team is playing well and MacArthur and Ellis are playing well as backups in the center position. Also expect Lalime in net for the Sabres tonight.

The Senators are always a team that cannot be taken lightly and the rivalry between these two teams always makes for a good game. Action starts at 7pm on MSG. Here are the stats.

Buffalo

Stat Leaders
Goals - Vanek (8)
Assists - Afinogenov (5)
Points - Vanek (11)
Plus/Minus - Vanek (+6)
Penalty Minutes - Kaleta (32)
Shots - Vanek (39)

Special Teams
Power Play - 22.7% (5th in League)
Penalty Kill - 94.3% (2nd in League)

Goaltending
Miller: 5-0-1, 1.60 GAA, .940 SV%
Lalime: 1-0-1, 1.44 GAA, .951 SV%

Ottawa

Stat Leaders
Goals - Heatley (4)
Assists - Kuba (11)
Points - Kuba (11)
Plus/Minus - McAmmond, Ruutu, Donovan (+4)
Penalty Minutes - Neal (26)
Shots - Vermette (28)

Special Teams
Power Play - 23.7% (4th in League)
Penalty Kill - 88.2% (5th in League)

Goaltending
Gerber: 1-3-1, 3.39 GAA, .891 SV%
Auld: 1-2, 2.70 GAA, .921 SV%