Borgen to make NHL debut in Ottawa

OTTAWA - William Borgen was eating his breakfast in Rochester this morning when he received a call to coach Chris Taylor's office. One talk with coach, several phone calls and a five-hour drive later, he was with the Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre preparing for his NHL debut.
"It was pretty crazy," he said. "I got a little nervous right away, but excited too."
Borgen will step into the lineup tonight in place of Rasmus Ristolainen, who woke up ill. Zach Bogosian will remain absent due to a lower-body injury, while Casey Mittelstadt will return at forward after sitting as healthy scratch in New Jersey last night. Vladimir Sobotka will be scratched in his place.

Borgen, a 22-year-old defenseman, tallied 12 points (2+10) in 66 games as a rookie in Rochester this season. He's a puck-moving defenseman who can skate well and plays with a physical edge, an aspect of his game that stood out with the Sabres during the preseason.
"Will brings a physical element to the game," Sabres coach Phil Housley. "He's a shutdown guy, plays very well in his own end. Defensively, he boxes out tremendously well. Plays a simple game. Makes that first pass on the tape and that's what we're looking for tonight."
"I just try to finish my checks," Borgen added. "That's always been a part of my game. Being physical is just part of my game. In front of the net, move guys out. I do a defenseman's job."

Borgen was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's defensive defenseman of the year as a junior at St. Cloud State last season, when he scored 15 points (2+13) in 36 games. He was also a member of Team USA for the PyeongChang Olympics, although he did not appear in a game.
While he came in advertised for his defensive abilities, Borgen said it's in that area that he's improved the most since turning pro.
"Even though that might be a little bit more my game already, I think Gord Dineen - my D coach down in Rochester - he does a great job and he works with us after practice constantly," he said. "I think he's taught me the little things that I need to do each game."
Borgen admitted he expects some early butterflies, but added that they should be outweighed by excitement.
"I know he's bouncing off the walls in that locker room," Housley said. "He's very excited to be here and we're very excited to have him. He's earned his right to be up here. At the same time, I just want to see him get through his first couple of shifts.
"I know he's probably excited and anticipating this time to come. Once he gets settled in after those first couple shifts it's just playing hockey.
Carter Hutton will start in net for the Sabres. Coverage on MSG-B begins at 7 p.m. with the GMC Game Night pregame show, or you can listen live on WGR 550. The puck drops at 7:30.

Scouting the Senators

The Senators have changed a lot since the Sabres last saw them, a 9-2 win in Buffalo back on Nov. 3. They traded core players in Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel at the deadline and relieved coach Guy Boucher of his duties on March 1. Marc Crawford has taken over on an interim basis.

Ottawa has leaned on its young players of late, with 22-year-old defenseman Thomas Chabot leading the team with 50 points (13+37) and 19-year-old rookie Brady Tkachuk, the fourth pick in last year's drafted, leading with 19 goals.
Tkachuk scored twice in the Senators' victory in Edmonton on Saturday, including the overtime winner.
Craig Anderson will start in net for Ottawa after earing his first win since Dec. 17 on Saturday. He's allowed five goals on 58 shots in two appearances against the Sabres this season.