Karlsson did not travel to Buffalo so he can be with his wife, Melinda, and their family following the death of their son, Axel. He is questionable The Senators, who will have Craig Anderson in goal, are 1-8-0 in their past nine games. The Sabres, who won't have forward Zemgus Girgensons in the lineup because of a season-ending upper-body injury, are 2-6-0 in their past eight games. Both teams have been eliminated from contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Players to watch
Senators center Matt Duchene has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in the past 12 games. Sabres center Jack Eichel has eight points (three goals, five assists) in the past four games.
They said it
"He drives. When you look at our top-six guys, the thing that we're lacking is drive. We've got some skill there, but skill without drive gives you nothing. ... We're looking to get the best mix possible. He's one of the guys that has the speed and the smarts to complement top guys." -- Senators coach Guy Boucher on forward Colin White "It's been difficult, the season, just the position we're in. … Obviously our home record (11-24-5) has been a sore spot this season. We can't control what has happened in the past. We can look at it and learn from it and realize we got to better and tonight's a good opportunity for us to end it the right way." -- Sabres coach Phil Housley
Smith did not skate Wednesday morning but will play. … Nylander, the No. 8 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft, will make his season debut. He was recalled from Rochester of the America Hockey League on Tuesday. He played his first four NHL games last season. Ullmark is day-to-day and may play in one of the Sabres' final two games, against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday and the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
Stat pack
Hoffman has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in the past 12 games. … Reinhart has five points (four goals, one assist) during a three-game point streak and 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in the past 15 games.
