The Senators, 1-9-2 in their past 12 games, have been held to one goal or fewer seven times in that span, and have been shut out three times in their past four games. Ottawa is 15th in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres, last in the Eastern Conference, try to end a two-game losing streak (0-0-2) and are 1-4-2 in their past seven games. Buffalo has been held to one goal or less eight times in its past 15 games, and was shut out three times in that span.
Players to watch
Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson has one assist in his past 12 games after having 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in his previous 10 games. Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner, who will start, is 4-0-2 against Ottawa, his former team, with a 1.30 goals-against average and .959 save percentage in eight games.
They said it
"Obviously you've got [center Jack] Eichel, just in terms of having to play a superstar. … That's probably what you have to watch out the most because sometimes you've got it all covered systematically… but all of a sudden those guys they beat you 1-on-1 and that's what we've got to avoid as much as we can." -- Senators coach Guy Boucher on facing Buffalo "When you look at the situation they're in, they're going to try to use this game to springboard their season, and we have to acknowledge that. … We should be the desperate team. We've got to be better at home here." -- Sabres coach Phil Housley on facing the Senators
Thompson, who had a maintenance day on Monday, will be a game-time decision. … Claesson will play for the first time since Dec. 3 after being a healthy scratch the past three games. … Beaulieu skated on Tuesday but will not play. … Josefson resumed skating on Monday and is ahead of schedule.
Stat pack
Brassard is one point away from 400 in the NHL. Eichel has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games against the Senators.
