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The Senators want to keep on rolling.
Riding a franchise-record, nine-game winning streak, the club wrapped up a 45-minute practice Tuesday at Scotiabank Place and then shuffled off to Buffalo to prepare for a big divisional matchup against the Sabres at the HSBC Arena.
With seven games remaining before the Olympic break, the Senators have a chance to close the gap in the Northeast Division and try to catch Sabres for the top spot. Ottawa trails Buffalo by five points.
Goaltender Brian Elliott will make the start and is trying win his eighth straight. Pascal Leclaire is going to dress as the backup, returning from a concussion.
“We’re just taking it game-by-game,” said winger Chris Neil. “It doesn’t matter how many games we win in a row, as long as we’re winning.
"It’s whenever you lose five in a row, those are the ones you remember. It’s not the winning eight or nine. As long you got a winning feeling in the dressing room, that’s half of the battle.”
There will be one lineup change. Centre Jesse Winchester is going to return after missing 11 games with a knee injury to replace winger Nick Foligno, who broke his foot blocking a shot in Saturday’s 3-2 OT win over Montreal.
Defenceman Anton Volchenkov was back on the ice after missing Monday’s practice. He is expected to be fine. That means Shean Donovan and Alex Picard are going to be healthy scratches.
