The Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres face off at the HSBC Center tonight in a game that, even though we are only a few games into the season, is very important for both teams. The Sens and Sabres each started the season 1-4-1 (the Sabres have since won and are now 2-4-1). A horrible start by anyones standards, but especially for two teams who were predicted to fairly easily make the playoffs this season.
It’s getting to be do or die time for the Senators this year. If they lose tonight that will make it one win in their opening seven games. That’s a big hole that they will be trying to dig out of for the remainder of the season. Look at the Leafs and Wild last year. Each team had a bad start and neither was ever able to overcome it and put themselves in a position to make the playoffs. Brian Elliott is likely starting in net tonight according to the Toronto Sun. Elliot is 8-0-0 lifetime against the Sabres with a 1.87 GAA and a .937 save percentage in those games. The Senators will need Elliott to have another big game tonight in order to get back on track. Another player the Senators need to step up is Alex Kovalev. Kovalev’s skating has been criticized of late so look for the old Russian to have his legs under him tonight in order to prove his doubters wrong.
The Sabres won on the road against a weak Thrashers team on Wednesday and will look to maintain this momentum when they return home tonight. The Sabres have yet to win at home this season (0-3-1) and will look to Miller to outplay Elliot tonight enroute to a win. A couple of bright spots for the Sabres so far have been the play of Derek Roy and rookie Tyler Ennis. Roy has 7 points in 7 games and will need to continue this point per game production if the Sabres are going to have a shot at the playoffs this season. Tyler Ennis has 5 points in 7 games and will try to maintain strong production against the Senators as he continues his bid to bring the Calder trophy back to the Buffalo this season.
Ottawa Senators +120 (Bookmaker.com)
Buffalo Sabres -140 (Bookmaker.com)
The Senators are the road dogs with a lot to lose in this game. Their backs are against the wall and I expect their team to come through in the clutch. Elliott will need to maintain his dominant record against Buffalo and players such as Jason Spezza and Alex Kovalev will have to begin to play playoff type hockey in order for the Sens to get out of the hole they have climbed into. Look for all these things to happen tonight and the Senators to get back to winning form.
My Pick: Ottawa Senators +120
This is the only game I see value in tonight, but if I was to choose some other winners I would go with the Blue Jackets -145, Lightning +110, Blackhawks -105 and Wild +170.
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Tagged with: brian elliott • buffalo sabres • derek roy • jason spezza • Ottawa Senators • ryan miller • tyler ennis