OTTAWA -- Expectations are high for the Ottawa Senators this season, so head coach Paul MacLean can be excused for being a little nervous when he finally gets a chance to see his revamped regular-season roster in action. The Senators will put the busy off-season and training camp behind them when they open their regular season on the road. They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Senators are expected to be a playoff team this season, with new acquisitions Bobby Ryan and Clarke MacArthur bolstering the forward lines and captain Jason Spezza and defenceman Erik Karlsson back from injury. "(Friday) nights the first time we really get tested as a group so were a little bit scared, little bit excited, more excited than scared," MacLean said. "We feel were a capable team, but we have to come here and do our work every day and when we do that I think well like where were going to be." Spezza is well aware of the expectations, and as captain he takes accountability in making sure the team is prepared. "Theres lots of optimism and high expectations for us," said Spezza. "With that comes the responsibility of making sure were ready to play every night so its a good challenge for us and a good challenging way to start the season as well." Spezza suffered a mild groin sprain in training camp and was restricted to just two pre-season games, but says he feels good and is looking forward to getting the season underway and seeing how he, Ryan and Milan Michalek execute as a line. "We expect to produce and how quickly we gel as a line is probably going to impact how we do in these first six games so wed like to get off to a good start," Spezza said. "Wed like to get on the board early and get some wins, but for us we just need to learn through our games." After missing most of last season due to a partially lacerated Achilles, Karlsson knows many will be watching to see if the 23-year-old can return to his Norris-Trophy winning form. "I think everyones really excited to finally get going again, especially the guys that missed a lot of time last year," Karlsson said. "Im one of them and Ive been looking forward to this all summer and (Friday) its finally time." MacLean is looking forward to seeing how his team fares against two division rivals after a lengthy training camp. "It gets us right into it which is what we want to do," MacLean said. "We dont want to be tiptoeing around or testing the water we want to get in there and get playing, get involved in the game right away and obviously Buffalo and Toronto being division games right off the bat a so for us its going to get us into the start of the season and get us right into the (division) battle." The Sabres opened the regular season Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings with a 2-1 loss and know the Senators will offer another challenge. "Weve seen them a lot last year," said Sabres captain Steve Ott. "Obviously with having Spezza back full-time and Bobby Ryan now, it gives them another element. Theyre a really good hockey club. Its going to be a good test for us. "Those are the top-echelon teams - Detroit and Ottawa - theyre good measuring sticks for our club." After spending the last few days practising while most of the league got underway Craig Anderson is excited to get the start against the Sabres. "Were ready to get going here," said Anderson. "(Friday) it starts for real. Weve got to show up and the games start to count so theres a little bit of excitement in the room around getting the season started and making sure we get off on the right foot." Fridays game will mark Spezzas official debut as team captain. "Its a huge honour and it cant be understated how big of an honour it is to be a captain in this league," he said. "Im excited about the challenges ahead for me of being the captain and playing a regular season game with the C on will definitely be special." When asked if he cheered on former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson when Detroit played Buffalo on Wednesday, Spezza was quick to reply: "I love Alf, were good friends, but theyre in our division. I only cheer for the Senators." Notes: MacLean said he would wait until Saturday before deciding whether or not Anderson will play back-to-back gamesaAnderson says he wont give much thought to facing-off against Ryan Miller, should he get the start, despite the fact both are being considered to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Winter Games. Wholesale Fake NBA Jerseys . Mauer drove in two runs before leaving with an injury, Eduardo Nunez homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Tuesday night. Fake NBA Jerseys China ." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. http://www.fakenbajerseys.com/ .Brothers B.J. and Justin Upton each homered and had an outfield assist, and the Braves held on for a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. Fake NBA Jerseys 2019 .That means, of course, that John Wall beat the Spurs for the first time ever — within weeks of his first wins in head-to-head games against nemeses Chris Paul and Derrick Rose. Discount Fake NBA Jerseys . The young man, never lacking confidence, thought he could be really good.BUCHAREST, Romania -- Sixth-seeded Andreas Seppi was knocked out of the first round of the Nastase Tiriac Trophy on Tuesday, along with seventh-seeded Nicolas Mahut. Carlos Berlocq of Argentina ousted Italys Seppi 6-0, 2-6, 7-6 (4) on the outdoor clay at the BNR Arenas, while qualifier Paul-Henri Mathieu defeated Mahut 6-3, 6-1 in all-French contest. Defending champion Lukas Rosol made a winning start, beating Italian Filippo Volandri 6-1, 7-6 (6).dddddddddddd Romanian hope Victor Hanescu defeated Israels Dudi Sela, 6-3, 6-4 and wild card entrant Marius Copil of Romania downed Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 6-4 in a match lasting just over one hour. In other matches, Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan ousted Brazils Thomaz Bellucci 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6) and Robin Haase of the Netherlands beat Australias Matthew Ebden 6-4, 6-3. ' ' '
