Ottawa, Ontario (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Tuesday is Josh Norris’ first game back to Ottawa since the Senators traded him to the Buffalo Sabres on March 7 as part of the package for Dylan Cozens.

Norris spoke after Tuesday’s morning skate, and was emotional to come back to a place where he enjoyed playing for parts of six seasons.

“I loved being here. I was here for a long time, and it’s good to be back,” said Norris after the morning skate.

The fans in Ottawa always loved Norris, and he appreciated that, especially since he never had the chance to thank them.

“I have mixed emotions,” Norris admitted. “I’m in a great spot now, I’m super happy in Buffalo. I love Buffalo, but I have nothing bad to say about Ottawa. I never really got to say thanks to all the fans because when I left, I just left quietly. They were always great to me, and it really felt like they had my back even when I was injured. So I always appreciated that about the people here.”

In nine games this season, Norris has four goals and six assists for 10 points. Over 82 games, that would be 36 goals and 55 assists for 91 points.

Buffalo is currently riding a six-game winning streak, which has gotten them past the Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers, in terms of point percentage.

After playing six-straight games, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stepped into the crease on Sunday and played extremely well in a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.

It will be Lyon back in the net, though, on Tuesday, as he has five-straight wins of his own. He’s 8-6-3 overall this season with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

Tage Thompson has goals in six-straight games, and is on a pace to score 42 goals this year.

It appears Jordan Greenway will be back in the lineup for Isak Rosen.

Tyson Kozak returned to practice on Tuesday, but will not play.

Ottawa is also hot with wins in four-straight games and five out of six. Their .571 points percentage would have them tied with the Florida Panthers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Former Sabres center Dylan Cozens has 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points this season. Over 82 games, that works out to 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points.

Cozens still isn’t very good defensively, as his plus/minus would end up at minus-21 over 82 games.

Former Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will get the net on Tuesday. He’s 14-8-4 this season with a 2.85 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage. Ullmark has won his last four starts.

Captain Brady Tkachuk has been back from injury for 12 games and has six goals and seven assists for 13 points. He’s on a five-game points streak, where he has five goals and seven points.

Tim Stutzle has gotten hot with six goals and eight assists for 14 points in his last seven games.

Drake Batherson has also been a handful with six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 10 games.

Join the Bulldog at 6 p.m. for pregame coverage on WGR when you’ll hear from head coach Lindy Ruff, Norris, and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig – Imagn Images