Sabres vs Senators Prediction 4/2/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Sabres vs Senators prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 2nd at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 46-21-8 this season after they defeated the Islanders by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Buffalo blew a 2-1 lead in the third period, but they scored the next two goals and escaped with the win. The Sabres out shot New York by a total of 33-28, won 45.8% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got goals from Krebs, Quinn, Thompson, and Byram, while UPL stopped 25 out of 28 shots, which was an .893 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Buffalo defeated the Kraken by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Red Wings by a score of 5-2 before that. The Sabres have won six of their last nine games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 100 points. Buffalo has scored 3.44 goals per game and they have allowed 2.95 goals against per game, while also going 21.4% on the power play and 81.7% on the penalty kill this season. Tage Thompson has led Buffalo with 38 goals and 40 assists, while Alex Tuch has added 29 goals and 31 assists. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Alex Lyon, who is 20-9-4 with a 2.69 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season. 

Ottawa Senators Betting Preview

The Ottawa Senators are 38-26-10 this year after they lost to the Panthers by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Ottawa allowed the first five goals in the game and never had a chance in the lopsided loss. The Senators were out shot by a total of 29-26, won 54.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Ottawa got goals from Amadio, Batherson, and Spence, while Ullmark stopped 11 out of 16 shots and Reimer stopped 12 out of 13. 

Prior to that game, Ottawa lost to the Lightning by a score of 4-2 and the Penguins by a score of 4-3. The Senators have lost three games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 86 points. Ottawa has scored 3.30 goals per game and they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game, while also going 22.4% on the power play and 74.7% on the penalty kill this season. Tim Stutzle has led Ottawa with 32 goals and 44 assists, while Drake Batherson has added 30 goals and 34 assists. The projected starting goalie for Ottawa is Linus Ullmark, who is 23-11-8 with a 2.85 goals against average and an .886 save percentage this season. 

Why the Ottawa Senators will win

• The Sabres have lost eight of their last nine night games at Canadian Tire Centre following a home win.
• The Senators have won four of their last five games at Canadian Tire Centre.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Sabres have lost the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs at Canadian Tire Centre when trailing after the second period.

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Sabres have won each of their last six games as underdogs against the Senators.
• The Senators have lost eight of their last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last 14 games as road underdogs.
• The Senators have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games at Canadian Tire Centre following a road loss.
• The Senators have lost the second period in four of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents at Canadian Tire Centre when leading after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the Sabres’ last nine night games against the Senators following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Seven of the Senators’ last eight games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in nine of the last 10 games between the Sabres and Senators.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last five road games against the Senators.

Ottawa Senators Player Prop Facts

• Warren Foegele has scored a goal in three of the Senators’ last four games at Canadian Tire Centre.
• Jake Sanderson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances against Eastern Conference opponents at Canadian Tire Centre.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in each of the Sabres’ last three games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Bowen Byram has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Sabres vs Senators Prediction 

Ottawa comes into this matchup desperately looking for wins, as they continue to fight in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Senators are 18-11-6 at home this year, while the Sabres are 22-11-4 on the road. Buffalo has won two in a row and they are currently leading the Metro standings. The Sabres are 2-1-2 in their last five games and they have outscored Ottawa by a score of 11-6 in their two meetings this year. Buffalo continues to be one of the top teams in the NHL and with Ottawa struggling on defense, I like the Sabres to get the road win.

David Racey's Pick: Sabres ML