The Buffalo Sabres head north to the Canadian Tire Centre tonight, aiming to extend their resurgence with a critical matchup against the Ottawa Senators. Coming off a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory over Washington, Buffalo looks to solidify its position in the Eastern Conference playoff race as the season approaches its midpoint.
With a 4-2-1 record in their last seven games, the Sabres are finding their rhythm following a challenging early stretch. Tonight’s game presents an opportunity to build on their recent success against an Ottawa squad that has also been battling inconsistency in a tightly packed Atlantic Division.
Buffalo’s Balanced Attack
Buffalo enters the contest with renewed confidence, driven by a potent offensive core. Despite playing through an undisclosed injury, Tage Thompson continues to elevate his game. Moved to the wing in recent contests, Thompson has reignited his scoring touch with nine points (4+5) in his last six games, including a blistering 103.7 mph one-timer goal against Washington. His ability to generate high-quality chances will be crucial against Ottawa’s struggling goaltending.
The Sabres have also relied on contributions from Jason Zucker, whose dynamic play has yielded 10 points (7+3) in his last eight outings. Zucker’s scoring prowess on the road has been a bright spot, and his chemistry with linemates Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens is a key storyline to watch. Cozens, stepping into the first-line center role, has excelled in the faceoff circle, winning 69% of draws in his last three games.
Rasmus Dahlin anchors the defensive effort, showcasing his elite playmaking ability with 10 assists in his last seven games. Another strong performance from Dahlin could be the difference-maker, particularly against Ottawa’s forecheck-heavy style.
Ottawa’s Rollercoaster Season
Sitting one point shy of a playoff position, the Senators have experienced an up-and-down campaign. Their recent struggles—losing five of their last six games—stem in part from the absence of star goaltender Linus Ullmark. With Ullmark sidelined, Ottawa has leaned on Anton Forsberg and rookie Leevi Merilainen, neither of whom has posted reassuring numbers in net.
Offensively, Ottawa relies on Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle to drive the attack. Stützle leads the team with 41 points, while Tkachuk’s physical presence and 18 goals make him a constant threat. However, the Senators’ scoring has dried up lately, managing an NHL-low 1.67 goals per game in their recent skid. Buffalo’s defensive corps, led by Dahlin, will look to exploit this offensive drought.
Keys to the Game
Buffalo’s success tonight will hinge on a few critical factors:
- Power Play Precision: The Sabres have scored with the man advantage in three straight games and will aim to continue that trend against an Ottawa penalty kill ranked 24th in the NHL.
- Neutral Zone Discipline: Ottawa thrives on transition opportunities, making Buffalo’s puck management in the neutral zone a pivotal battleground.
Head-to-Head History
Buffalo holds the upper hand in the season series, having dominated Ottawa 5-1 in their first meeting back in November. That game saw standout performances from JJ Peterka, who has registered five goals and an assist in his last nine games against the Senators. Peterka’s knack for finding the back of the net against Ottawa makes him a player to watch tonight.
Injury Updates
The Sabres remain without forward Jiri Kulich (lower body), while Beck Malenstyn is sidelined due to illness. Tyson Kozak has been called up to fill the fourth-line center role, marking an important opportunity for the rookie to make an impact.
Projected Lineups from NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
Jason Zucker — Dylan Cozens — Tage Thompson
JJ Peterka — Ryan McLeod — Alex Tuch
Zach Benson — Peyton Krebs — Jack Quinn
Nicolas Aube-Kubel — Tyson Kozak — Sam Lafferty
Mattias Samuelsson — Henri Jokiharju
Scratched: Dennis Gilbert, Jacob Bryson
Injured: Jordan Greenway (middle body), Beck Malenstyn (illness), Jiri Kulich (lower body)
Senators projected lineup
Brady Tkachuk — Shane Pinto — Ridly Greig
Claude Giroux — Tim Stutzle — Drake Batherson
Nick Cousins — Josh Norris — Adam Gaudette
Cole Reinhardt — Zack Ostapchuk — Noah Gregor
Tyler Kleven — Nikolas Matinpalo
Scratched: Maxence Guenette
Injured: David Perron (upper body), Michael Amadio (concussion), Jacob Bernard-Docker (high ankle sprain), Linus Ullmark (back)
Tonight’s matchup is more than just another game on the schedule—it’s a litmus test for two teams striving to establish their identity in a fiercely competitive division. For Buffalo, a victory would extend their momentum and serve as a statement that they’re ready to contend in the back half of the season.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM on MSG, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 PM. Fans outside the Buffalo market can stream the game live on ESPN+.
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