Sabres at Senators
THE STORY: The Buffalo Sabres earned a much-needed victory Friday night to end a disappointing homestand. Now the Sabres will try to get on a roll as they go on the road to play the Northeast Division rival Ottawa Senators Saturday. The Sabres had lost four of five – three by one goal – before registering a season-high 44 shots in a 2-1 victory over Calgary. Former Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller, who has lost four straight decisions, is expected to start against the Senators after getting the night off against the Flames. Ottawa has lost two straight - including a 2-1 decision at home against Montreal Friday - after winning six in a row. Buffalo won five of the six meetings against Ottawa last season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; CBC, MSG-B (Buffalo).
ABOUT THE SABRES (7-5-0): One thing Buffalo has done very well this season is kill penalties. The Sabres are 40-for-43 (93 percent) to lead the NHL and are 10-for-11 on the road. Thomas Vanek leads the Sabres with eight goals and 16 points and Jason Pominville has 10 assists and 15 points. Drew Stafford snapped a seven-game streak without a goal by netting one against Calgary. Forward Corey Tropp was recalled to replace suspended Patrick Kaleta and played his first NHL game Friday. Big-ticket free-agent forward Ville Leino has just one goal this season.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (7-7-0): Ottawa outshot Montreal 30-14 in the final two periods, but could only manage a shorthanded goal. The Senators, who are second in the league in power-play percentage, were 0-for-7 with the man advantage the last two games. Jason Spezza leads Ottawa with 15 points and needs two goals for 200 in his career. Veteran Filip Kuba has been solid on defense for the Senators, with two goals and five assists. Alex Auld, who missed three games with a lower-body injury, returned as Craig Anderson’s backup Friday.
OVERTIME:
1. Buffalo G Jhonas Enroth improved to 12-3-2 in his career with the win Friday.
2. Ottawa’s Chris Neil has 99 career assists.
3. Buffalo C Luke Adam had his four-game point streak snapped, but has five points in as many contests.