BUFFALO - Jared Cowen was put in a tough position Wednesday night. And it could have very well been by design.
In a battle to win a Top 6 spot on the opening night roster, Cowen was the only full time NHL defenceman in a very young and inexperienced Senators lineup for Wednesday's pre-season tilt against the Sabres at First Niagara Center. His partner, Michael Kostka, has played 70 NHL games in his eight-year pro career, but 35 of them were with the Maple Leafs back in 2012-13.
To make matters a little more difficult for Cowen, as a 6-foot-5 left defenceman he was fed a steady diet of right wingers Tyler Ennis, Brian Gionta and Jason Akeson.