Erik Karlsson is making a strong case to replace Niklas Lidstrom as the NHL’s premier all-round defenseman, while Jason Spezza is quietly having a career year. That has added up to a surprise emergence of the Ottawa Senators as more than just a have-not team, and instead as a threat to do some damage to their opponents on the NHL betting lines.

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Just a few weeks ago the Senators were outside the playoff bubble. Now on a hot streak, Ottawa’s not only got into the postseason picture, but they’re actually pulling away from those below them in the standings, including the hard-luck Buffalo Sabres, whom they’ll face this Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada.

Buffalo, on the other hand, can’t catch a break. They’re playing well above .500 lately, yet they’re only managing to keep pace in the standings.

The Sabres were expected to be contenders this year, thanks to some big offseason spending, but all hasn’t gone well. Acquiring Cody Hodgson was celebrated in Buffalo, but he has yet to make an impact. Meanwhile, goalie Ryan Miller is playing like a man possessed – or at least a man who wants out of Buffalo.

Both teams are taking it one game at a time as one tries to hold onto its playoff position and the other tries to steal it away. Two points in regulation for either team can be crippling at this point, and you can bet both teams will desperately try to avoid overtime.

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