The Ottawa Senators will head to KeyBank Center on Tuesday night to face off against the Buffalo Sabres in an Atlantic Division matchup. The Senators, currently fifth in the Atlantic, are looking to continue their recent solid form, while the Sabres, who sit seventh in the division, hope to find some consistency as they try to climb the standings.
Senators’ Recent Form
Ottawa enters this game with some momentum, coming off two impressive wins in their last three games. After a disappointing 5-4 loss to Colorado, the Senators bounced back with an 8-1 victory over St. Louis and then a 3-0 shutout against Seattle. Their defensive resilience was evident, as both goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Anton Forsberg secured shutouts over the past week. Coach Jim Montgomery has emphasized that while there’s still room for growth, the team is starting to gel as they move further into the season.
Ottawa’s offensive depth has also been on display. Adam Gaudette, playing on the fourth line, has been a standout, tallying six goals over the last five games to tie with Tim Stutzle in second place on the team. The team’s captain, Brady Tkachuk, has been a motivational leader, highlighting the team’s commitment to consistent performances and continuous improvement on both ends of the ice.
Sabres’ Struggles and Inconsistencies
The Sabres, on the other hand, are struggling to find their rhythm, having lost four of their last five games. They are coming off a 2-1 loss to Detroit, where their special teams were a mixed bag. Although Alex Tuch managed a shorthanded goal, Buffalo’s penalty kill allowed two goals that ultimately cost them the game. Despite a valiant effort late in the game, the Sabres couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities, something that has been an issue this season.
Buffalo will be looking for a boost from their leading scorer, Tage Thompson, who recently saw his point streak snapped at eight games. Thompson has been the primary offensive threat for Buffalo, leading the team with seven goals and 13 points. However, with injuries affecting the lineup and struggles in special teams play, the Sabres have a challenging matchup against an in-form Senators squad.
Prediction and Pick
Both teams are at different points in their development this season, with Ottawa appearing more cohesive, especially on defense. With the Senators’ recent defensive performances and depth scoring, they seem well-equipped to handle Buffalo’s inconsistent offense. Given Buffalo’s recent struggles to generate goals, Ottawa is likely to have the edge.
Prediction: Ottawa Senators 4, Buffalo Sabres 2
