Empty nets, lidless players and faceoffs

Curtis Lazar will take the goals any way they come. If one is uglier than the next, he’s not afraid to laugh about it, either.

“I worked on my release this summer and it was almost like the goalie wasn’t there,” Lazar said after scoring into an empty net to secure the Ottawa Senators 3-1 season opening victory in Buffalo Thursday.

Empty net or not, the goal is a big boost for Lazar’s early-season confidence, considering it took him 25 games to score his first goal during his rookie season in 2014-15.

“That was icing on the cake,” he said following Friday’s practice. “It is about good (defensive) habits. It’s nice to get that first one out of the way, so now I can just play my game.”

That solid all-around game is what led coach Dave Cameron to have the 20-year-protecting the lead as time ticked away. Lazar ended up playing a career-high 17:30, third among Senators forwards, behind only Kyle Turris and Mark Stone.

“I don’t check birth certificates or country of origin when I put guys on,” said Cameron. “Based on his play last year, I don’t think anybody would be shocked that that kid is out there.”

COWEN GOES OLD SCHOOL

Jared Cowen is the anti-Karlsson these days, sporting a wild mop on his head. So, when his helmet came off in the middle of the action against Buffalo, he certainly stood out as he tried to see straight.

“My helmet has never really fallen off before and I couldn’t even see for a bit, so it was a bit reckless,” he said. “I might have to address that with a pony tail or something.”

For all the criticism Cowen has received, he delivered a successful, no nonsense opening game, with three hits and one blocked shot in 17:54 of ice time. Cowen’s defence partner, Mark Borowiecki, had a game-high five hits.

DRAWING FIRST BLOOD

The Senators went 42-30 in faceoffs against the Sabres, a marked improvement from 2014-15 when they ranked 24th in the league with a 48.2 per cent success rate.

FATIGUE FACTOR?

For a change, the Senators will catch a break in having extra rest against the Maple Leafs. While the Senators flew into Toronto early Friday morning, the Maple Leafs played in Detroit Friday and were expected to arrive back home in the early hours Saturday.

Goaltender James Reimer is expected to make his first start of the season for the Maple Leafs.