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Sabres try to end slide against red-hot Senators

Nov 15, 2007 - 2:08 PM Buffalo (6-9-1) at Ottawa (14-2-0) 7:30 pm EST

OTTAWA (Ticker) - The Buffalo Sabres try to rebound from back-to-back losses when they face the NHL's best team, the Ottawa Senators, on Thursday.

Buffalo has yet to find its rhythm this season after finishing the 2006-07 campaign with the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres have scored just one goal in their last two games and have lost five of their last six games overall.

The Sabres have struggled this season offensively and are 15th in the NHL, averaging only 2.75 goals a game. The defense has had trouble as well, allowing 3.12 goals per contest - sixth worst in the league.

Goalie Ryan Miller hasn't helped the situation in Buffalo, posting a 5-8-1 record with a .898 save-percentage and 2.77 goals-against average - ranking near the bottom of the NHL in all three categories.

Unlike the Sabres, the Senators are off to one of the best starts in the NHL, losing just two of their first 16 games while ranking second in the league in goals for and goals against.

Netminder Martin Gerber has been a pleasant surprise for Ottawa this season. The 33-year-old has the most wins of any goalie in the league with 11 and has a .943 save percentage - fourth best in the NHL.

The Senators will also get back one of their most prolific scores. Jason Spezza, who has a goal and 12 assists on the season, is expected to return after missing the last six games with a groin injury.