The set-up: The 23-23-10 Buffalo Sabres, who bested the Senators 4-0 at home back on Feb. 4, will be in Ottawa tonight, to take on the 29-18-6 Senators. The Senators have scored only six goals in dropping three of four meetings this season with the Sabres.

Buffalo: The Sabres put together three consecutive overtime wins from Jan. 20-24 but have dropped six of their last nine (3-5-1). No.1 goaltender Robin Lehner let off some steam after Sunday's 4-2 loss to Vancouver, perhaps fueled by the fact that Buffalo has allowed 82 more shots on goal in seven games this month. "We make two plays, score two goals and that's about it," Lehner said. "It's not even disappointing anymore. I'm starting to get angry." Buffalo is currently five points out of the East's second wild card spot.

Ottawa: After losing at Buffalo 4-0, the Senators were crushed by St. Louis 6-0 three days later. However, they've rebounded with consecutive wins over teh Star and Islander, the latter game marking the return of goaltender Craig Anderson. Anderson has been away from the team to be with his wife as she underwent treatment for cancer but he returned with a flourish, turning aside all 33 shots in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Islanders, in his first action since Dec. 5.

The pick: Lehner has faced an average of 39 shots per game over his last nine starts and that catches up with you. As for Ottawa, its 3-0 Saturday win over the New York Islanders was called by head coach Boucher, "one of its best team efforts of the season." Ottawa sits six points back of the Atlantic Division-leading Montreal Canadiens, but the Canadiens are now on their bye week and the Senators have five games in hand. Time to make a move. Ottawa is an 8* play.