Current Form. Ottawa is currently sitting in 8th place in the standings with 40 points. While the team has shown glimpses of solid form throughout the season, their recent results have been inconsistent. After a strong 3-1 win against Minnesota, the Senators have suffered three consecutive losses, falling to Dallas (2-4), St. Louis (0-4), and Detroit (2-3 in overtime). It’s clear that the team is struggling with offensive production, and this has been reflected in their recent performances.
Strengths. Despite the offensive struggles, Ottawa remains one of the most effective teams when it comes to power play, ranking 7th in the league with a conversion rate of 24.6%. Another advantage for Ottawa is their home form, where they tend to perform better than on the road. The Senators have shown solid results at home, and this could be a key factor in their upcoming match.
Key Players:
Tim Stützle — A young and talented forward who often takes the lead in attack.
Claude Giroux — The experienced forward who plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the offense.
Josh Norris — A central forward who is consistently involved in the team’s offensive plays.
Key players such as Bernard-Docker, Hamonic, and Ullmark will not be available for this matchup, which will certainly impact the defensive unit.
Current Form
Buffalo has been one of the most unpredictable teams this season. After a disastrous 11-game losing streak, the Sabres bounced back with three consecutive wins. However, they’ve struggled again, losing to Dallas (2-4), Colorado (5-6 in overtime), and Vegas (1-3) in their most recent games. Their latest victory came against Washington, where they managed to win 4-3 in a shootout, with Alex Tuch scoring twice and John-Jason Peterka netting the decisive shootout goal.
Strengths. Buffalo is known for its attacking style of play and their ability to create scoring chances. Even though they struggle defensively, the Sabres always try to push the tempo and keep the game wide open. This makes their matches high-scoring and exciting to watch. On average, Buffalo takes 27 shots per game, showing their commitment to offense.
Key Players:
Tage Thompson — The team’s top scorer with 34 points, he remains a constant offensive threat.
Alex Tuch — A forward who has been in great form, scoring multiple goals in recent games.
John-Jason Peterka — A promising young forward who often creates scoring opportunities and could play a key role in important moments.
Buffalo will also be missing some key players for this game. Greenway, Kulich, and Målénstín won’t be available, which weakens both their defense and attacking options.
This matchup promises to be an exciting one. Ottawa, despite their offensive struggles, will rely on their strong power play and the home-ice advantage to get the win. On the other hand, Buffalo will look to continue their attacking approach, even though their defensive weaknesses may leave them vulnerable. The Sabres’ open style of play often leads to high-scoring games, but their lack of defensive solidity may result in goals conceded.
Key Betting Trends:
Ottawa is stronger at home and their power play could be a decisive factor.
Buffalo will likely create plenty of offensive chances but their poor defense may leave them exposed.
Expect a high-scoring game as both teams prefer fast-paced hockey with lots of attacking action.
This match has all the ingredients to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams fighting for the win, but facing different challenges along the way.
In the upcoming match between Ottawa and Buffalo, a slight advantage should be given to the hosts. Despite a series of defeats, the Senators play at home, where they show more stable results. Buffalo has problems in defense, which can play in favor of Ottawa.
Prediction: Ottawa wins with a minimum score of 3-2.
The expected odds for Ottawa are 2.15
