Lehner will be the starting goalie Thursday when the Sabres play Ottawa, reports Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.

EDGE Analysis

Chad Johnson didn't play well enough in the preseason to steal the job, so this comes at no surprise. Acquired over the summer from Ottawa, Lehner will face his former team in a much-hyped season opener for Buffalo. The 6-foot-5 goalie enters his first season as a starter and often plays well early in the season, sporting a 2.10 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in 10 career games in October, though he's historically been better on the road. Ottawa should have an improved offense, but Lehner still has a good chance to nab a win.