"The Senators are still looking out for a No. 1.

While the Senators kick off the regular season next Friday against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Place, neither Pascal Leclaire nor Brian Elliott has stepped up to seize the top goalie job.

Elliott is expected to start Friday in the first game of the back-to-back series against the Rangers in New York and Leclaire will play Saturday at home. Senators coach Cory Clouston would like one of them to take charge.

So, will whoever starts the first game against the Sabres be the club's No. 1 goalie?

"I guess in the perfect world, yep," said Clouston following a skate at Scotiabank Place. "But that's not even for sure. There are injuries, there are slumps and there are a lot of different variables that go into it.

"I'm going to reiterate: Whichever goaltender steps up, we'll go with. They both, at times last year, did it, but not consistently enough to start at camp and say, 'This guy is our go-to-guy' right off the bat.

"Both of them still have their best hockey ahead of them and we've seen a lot of positives."

But the Senators haven't seen enough to hand over the keys yet. Elliott wasn't good in his first start against the Leafs, but was better in a 6-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday at home.

Leclaire hasn't been tested a whole lot in the two games he's played. But he's given up eight goals in losses to the Habs and Leafs."