Gaborik and Shore were acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Dion Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson on Tuesday. Goaltender Craig Anderson will start for the Senators, who have lost two straight after going 4-1-0 in their previous five games. Goaltender Robin Lehner will start for the Sabres, who are 3-1-0 in their past four games following a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).
Players to watch
Sabres forward Sam Reinhart has eight points (three goals, five assists) in his past five games and 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in his past 10 games. Senators forward Mike Hoffman has eight points (three goals, five assists) in his past seven games.
They said it
"Whenever you get traded you have that feeling that you want to make an impact. Especially for him, I think it's something he wants to prove. You've got something to prove and it adds a bit more and it's nice. We're happy to have him in the pipes and we feel confident." -- Sabres forward Ryan O'Reilly on goaltender Robin Lehner facing his former team "[Duchene] … has world-class speed and is a great player. Hoffman is a big shooter, a speedy guy and hopefully we can jell well. I hear these guys have been playing very well lately, so hopefully I can jell pretty good with them." -- Senators forward Marian Gaborik on playing on the first line with Matt Duchene and Mike Hoffman
Karlsson left 10 minutes into the morning skate because of maintenance and did not return, but should play, coach Guy Boucher said. … The Senators recalled Harpur from Belleville of the American Hockey League. … Dumont practiced but will not play.
Stat pack
Buffalo has scored four goals or more in each of its past four games. … Lehner is 5-0-2 with a 1.39 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in nine games against Ottawa.
