Senators, Sabres renew pleasantries
Kovalev not in Ottawa lineup
Last Updated: Saturday, November 21, 2009 | 11:01 AM ET
CBC Sports
Ottawa fans hope there's more to come from Jonathan Cheechoo, left, who's scored twice in the last five games. (Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)The Ottawa Senators appear much improved from last season, but one thing they'll want to replicate from the disappointing 2008-09 campaign is success against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Senators (10-6-3) will aim for their third consecutive win on Saturday night when they host Northwest Division rival Buffalo for the first time this season (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET).
Buffalo was one of the few clubs Ottawa had consistent success against last season, scoring 22 goals en route to winning five of six meetings.
Ottawa has been hard-pressed for goals several times this season but broke out offensively on Thursday against a depleted Pittsburgh Penguins club, winning 6-2.
The Senators got some goals from welcome sources — Chris Kelly scored his first of the season, defencemen Matt Carkner and Chris Phillips found the back of the net, and Jonathan Cheechoo notched his second in five games.
Mike Fisher set up three goals to give him five points in two games, while Milan Michalek tied Fisher for the team lead with his ninth of the season.
Goalie Pascal Leclaire — unjustifiably placed this week on a Vancouver newspaper's list of early disappointments this NHL season — has bounced back from an off week with two straight wins.
Backup goalie Brian Elliott will likely see action soon, as Saturday's contest is the first of five games in eight days for the club.
Ottawa will be without Alex Kovalev on Saturday, who is on a bereavement leave after the death of his mother-in-law.
Forward Shean Donovan will be out for at least six weeks after suffering a knee injury in the Pittsburgh game. Donovan was struck by the knee of Matt Cooke.
Ryan Shannon and Peter Regin are both available, having spent recent times in the press box.
Buffalo (12-5-2) heads in losers of two straight.
The Sabres uncharacteristically allowed Florida a four-goal spurt in a 6-2 loss on Wednesday. They shored up defensively Friday at home against Boston, but the Bruins won 2-1 in overtime on a deflected shot.
Tim Connolly lost a faceoff in his own end to set up Boston's winner.
Paul Gaustad scored early in the first for the Sabres, who received 24 saves from No. 1 goalie Ryan Miller.
Thomas Vanek saw a modest four-game point streak end. The Austrian forward has been where the action is in the last four games, both good and bad — he has four points but is a minus-5 during that span.
Drew Stafford is questionable for Saturday's game after leaving the Bruins game with what coach Lindy Ruff described as a lower body injury.
Tyler Myers, the six-foot-seven rookie defenceman who has impressed for Buffalo, will be featured on the Inside Hockey pre-game segment of Hockey Night in Canada.
Ottawa will return to action at Scotiabank Place on Monday against the Washington Capitals.
