Ottawa @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2019 ) Buffalo 0, Ottawa 4

It's been a while since the Buffalo Sabres have recorded a victory, and even longer since they've done so in regulation. The Sabres look to end both droughts when they complete the home portion of their schedule Thursday against the Ottawa Senators.

Buffalo is coming off a 3-2 setback against Nashville on Tuesday, a defeat that dropped it to 0-7-1 in its last eight overall games and 2-15-2 since topping Washington in regulation on Jan. 23. Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner scored in the loss for the Sabres, who fell to 0-3-1 in their last four at home. Ottawa is seeking a season-high third straight road victory as it plays its final contest away from home. The Senators skated to a 4-1 triumph over the Rangers in New York on Wednesday as rookie Brady Tkachuk extended his point streak to four games with a goal and an assist.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN5, RDS2 (Ottawa), MSG (Buffalo)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (29-45-6): Tkachuk, who has netted six tallies in his last eight contests, has collected three goals and as many assists during his point streak. Chris Tierney notched an assist Wednesday to end a five-game point drought that followed a five-game streak. The 24-year-old center has gone eight contests without a goal, however, keeping him one shy of becoming the sixth current member of the team to reach double digits.

ABOUT THE SABRES (31-39-10): Skinner's goal against the Predators was his second in 23 games and team-leading 38th of the season, eclipsing the career high he set in 2016-17 with Carolina. The 26-year-old left wing tied Gilbert Perreault (1970-71) and Ray Sheppard (1987-88) for the third-most tallies by a player in his first campaign with Buffalo. Evan Rodrigues set up both goals Tuesday to end his five-game point drought and set a career high of 20 assists while Rasmus Ristolainen notched his 40th point (assist) to become the fourth defenseman in franchise history to hit the plateau in at least four consecutive seasons.

OVERTIME

1. Okposo is one assist shy of 300 for his career while Skinner needs two to reach 200.

2. Ottawa RW Bobby Ryan is three assists away from 300 in the NHL while Zack Smith's next one will be his 100th.

3. Buffalo assigned rookie D William Borgen, who posted a minus-5 rating in four games with the club, to AHL Rochester.

PREDICTION: Sabres 5, Senators 2