The Ottawa Senators are in the midst of a rollercoaster season, and with just eight games left in their 82-game schedule, they need to pull off a comeback to keep their playoff dreams alive. After suffering a tough third straight loss on Tuesday, the Senators are looking to bounce back as they host the Buffalo Sabres in Kanata on Thursday night.
This game kicks off a crucial five-game homestand featuring some of the league's top teams. With the Senators needing to win six of their remaining eight games to secure a playoff spot, the stakes couldn't be higher. Fans will also be keeping an eye on other key matchups around the league that could impact Ottawa's postseason chances.
On the ice, Coach Travis Green has his team ready for the challenge, though they'll be missing Jake Sanderson, who remains in a non-contact jersey. In his absence, Cameron Crotty has been called up from Belleville to fill in for the injured Carter Yakemchuk.
Projected Lines:
- Zetterlund-Stützle-Batherson
- Tkachuk-Cozens-Greig
- Giroux-Pinto-Amadio
- Foegele-Eller-Cousins
Defense Pairs:
- Kleven-Zub
- Matinpalo-Spence
- Thomson-Crotty
Linus Ullmark will get the start in goal.
The puck drops at 7:08 PM, and you can catch the game on TSN5, TSN1200, and 104.7 FM. Streaming options are also available, but if you can, head down to the CTC to support the team in person. Your cheers could make all the difference in this pivotal moment of the season.
Matchup Breakdown:
- Ottawa's record stands at 38-26-10, while Buffalo boasts a 46-21-8 record.
- The Senators are scoring 3.30 goals per game (10th in the league) but allowing 3.09 goals against (20th).
- The Sabres are putting up 3.44 goals per game (7th) and have a solid defense, allowing just 2.95 goals against (10th).
- On special teams, Ottawa's power play is clicking at 22.4% (11th), but their penalty kill needs improvement at 74.7% (30th).
- Buffalo's power play is at 21.4% (15th), with a strong penalty kill at 81.7% (5th).
- Ottawa is outshooting opponents with 28.9 shots per game (9th), while Buffalo allows 29.4 shots against (24th).
Leading the charge for the Senators are Tim Stützle with 76 points and Drake Batherson with 64. Meanwhile, Buffalo's top performers include Thompson with 78 points and Dahlin with 67.
Tonight's game is a must-win for the Senators, and the energy in the arena could tip the scales in their favor. It's time to rally and make every moment count.