Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we’ll look at the Buffalo Sabres taking on the Ottawa Senators. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators
2024-25 Season Series: Sabres 4-0 Senators
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
How to Watch TV: SportsnetOne, RDS, MSG-B, ESPN+
Location: KeyBank Center from Buffalo, New York
We’re far from the 2007 brawl, but there’s still a division rivalry on our hands here. Amplified from trades from last season, this is an important game for both teams.
Let’s talk about the trade, as it is a storyline going into the game. Last season the Sabres traded Dylan Cozens, a second-round pick, and Dennis Gilbert for Joshua Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. The Sabres let Bernard-Docker walk in free agency and Josh Norris is injured for two months. Furthermore, Cozens has scored once so far this year. It’s hard to tell if anyone won or lost a trade this early, but an early reaction wildly favours the Senators. There’s some juice to this theory. Sabres fan were incredibly aggravated with Cozens’ play since signing a massive extension. He struggled to find success with the Sabres and a change of scenery was definitely needed.
The Sabres’ Story
The Sabres have gotten out to a miserable start. They’re 0-3 in their first three games. They’ve scored two total goals, currently zero for 11 on the power play. They’re dealing with a slew of injuries to top it all off. In other words, Sabres fans are not having fun right now. Their last game saw jerseys being thrown on the ice and fans wearing paper bags over their heads.
Vibes are bad to say the least in Buffalo, however, there is one positive. Backup goaltender Alex Lyon is filling in for the injured Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and he’s playing really well to start the year. Operating with a .919 save percentage so far this year, he’s giving the Sabres opportunities to win games. Of all the things wrong in Buffalo right now, he is not one of them.
The Senators’ Story
Flip that around to the Senators, Linus Ullmark has not been the dominant goaltender he proved to be in the past. With an .847 save percentage and a goals-against average just above 4, there is room for improvement between the pipes for Ottawa. The Senators are 1-2 in their first three games of the season. The clear advantages for Ottawa has been their offence. That is in jeopardy following the injury to Brady Tkachuk. Their offence scores way more than the Sabres, with Shane Pinto leading the way with four goals. The Senators have scored eight goals to the Sabres’ two. The Senators have a 18% power play percentage right now, better than the Sabres 0%. The bit of good news on the injury front for Ottawa, is that Drake Batherson is looking to make his season debut Wednesday.
This game features the worst offense in the league in the Sabres, versus the second worst defense in the league in terms of goals allowed average. If the Sabres can’t score more than a goal in this game it’ll start looking incredibly dark in Western New York. Where as if the Senators can’t keep the Sabres from scoring it’ll raise serious questions regarding the state of the team.
Prediction
The Sabres need this one badly. They’re at home, and will play with an increased intensity given how they started the year.
Prediction: Sabres win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
Lyon is on fire to start the year. If the Sabres win it will be because of their goaltending. Look for the over on his saves for the game. On the Senators side, look for a Pinto goal, he tends to have success against the Sabres.
Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig- Imagn Images
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