Live Blog: Senators at Sabres

How to watch: TSN5 / RDS2

How to listen: TSN 1200 / Unique FM 94,5

When: 7 p.m. EST

Where: KeyBank Center

The Senators set off on this five-game road trip 10 days ago and we've finally reached the last stop here in Buffalo. The results haven't gone the Sens way thus far but they will look to end on a high note against a team they beat just 11 days ago back at Canadian Tire Centre.

After back-to-back games with stronger defensive showings against the Kraken and Oilers, the Senators were able find some offence against Calgary, and while the result didn't go their way it helped get a proverbial monkey off their back. While goal scoring often hasn't been an issue for the Senators this season, it had eluded them lately and with that touch back they pose a real threat to upset Buffalo at home tonight.

Tonight proves to be an opportunity for the Senators to get a spark for their special teams. Buffalo ranks in the bottom five in the league for power play (13.7%) and the 22nd ranked penalty kill (77.8%). While special teams haven't been a strength of the Senators this season, they had a good outing against Calgary and seem to be finding their footing a bit more with each game.

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Buffalo comes into this contest having played just three games since the last time they met, going 2-1-0 including decisive victories over the Canadiens and Penguins. While this season hasn't gone according to plan at the midway point of the season, this Buffalo team has shown flashes of the playoff contender they hoped to, and still may well, be.

The Sabres strength this season has been the depth of their goal scoring threats. Currently they have six skaters that have double-digit goals on the year with led by Jeff Skinner with 17, tied with our very own Brady Tkachuk's 17. Beyond Skinner, the Senators will have to contain Rasmus Dahlin on the back end, easier said than done, and Casey Mittelstadt in the midst of a career season, leading the Sabres with 35 points.

A victory over Buffalo provided a the high note for the Senators to finish 2023 on. Perhaps it can also act as the kick starter for them to turn the page here in 2024.

By the numbers

Jacques Martin confirmed this morning that the team would be without Josh Norris as he suffered an injury against Calgary. With that the Senators will skate 11 forwards and 7 defencemen. Looks like Anton Forsberg will be getting the start tonight in Buffalo.

Hear from interim head coach Jacques Martin and forwards Zack MacEwen and Ridly Greig ahead of tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.

Watch below for the full recap of the Senators victory over the Sabres from earlier this season:

And we're live from KeyBank Center!

\Penalty:\ Mark Kastelic goes to the box for tripping Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo gets their first chance on the power play.

Sens kill off the penalty

\Goal:\ Sabres score first seconds after the power play ended. JJ Peterka puts one in for Buffalo at the 10:46 mark of the first, 1-0 Sabres.

\Penalty:\ Rasmus Dahlin gets called for holding, Sens get their first shot on the power play.

\Goal:\ Tarasenko ties it for Ottawa and gets his 600th career point! The game is tied 1-1 with 4:54 left of the first.

Goalie change for Ottawa at the 3:44 mark, Forsberg heads to the dressing room after going down awkwardly. Korpisalo goes in to replace Forsberg

\Goal:\ Tage Thompson scores and takes the lead for the Sabres with 2:32 to go in the first. 2-1 Buffalo.

\Penalty:\ Kubalik gets called for tripping Jordan Greenway with 00:52 left in the first period.

\Goal:\ Tage Thompson gets his second of the game and this period on the power play. 3-1 Sabres.

Puck is in play for the second period!

\Penalty:\ Sens go back to the power play after Ryan Johnson gets 2 minutes for interference at the 17:19 mark of the second.

\Goal:\ Seconds after the Sens power play finishes Peyton Krebs gets another for Buffalo with 15:08 left of the second. 4-1 Sabres.

Penalty:** Girgrensons gets called for tripping Zub, Sens get their third power play of the game with 10:14 to go in the second.

Penalty: Dahlin get another 2 minutes minor, this time for cross-checking Greig. Ottawa gets another chance on the power play with 4:21 left of the second.

\Goal:\ Giroux helps cut the Sabres lead in half at the beginning of the third. 19:17 to play, Buffalo leads 4-2.

\Penalty:\ Joseph gets called for boarding, Sens go to the PK with 18:29 to go.

Big kill for the Sens as they keep the game 4-2

Goal:** Claude Giroux nets another to make this a one goal game. 4-3 Buffalo with 8:45 to play.

\Goal:\ Buffalo dumps it in the empty net.

The Sabres take this one 5-3.

Watch the full game recap: