Welcome back to 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. In this edition, we’ll take a look at one of the biggest showdowns in the Eastern Conference. The Buffalo Sabres taking on the Ottawa Senators. Check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions with Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres

Head-to-Head: Senators 0-2 Sabres

How to Watch: US TV: MSG Buffalo; MSGSN2; ESPN+. Canada TV: Sportsnet+.

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

This prediction looks at a monumental game for both sides. The Buffalo Sabres, with a win, will clinch their first postseason birth in 15 years. They just defeated the New York Islanders in their last game to snag a 100 point season, their first since 2009-10. Buffalo clinching is inevitable, but it will sure be nice to get that out of the way. 

Daniel Lea/CSM(Credit Image: © Daniel Lea/Cal Sport Media

The Ottawa Senators are fighting for their Stanley Cup Playoff lives right now. They currently sit just two point behind Columbus for the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. They are also tied in points with Detroit, and Philadelphia, with identical games played. The Eastern Conference race is hot, and the Senators find themselves needing some wins to claw their way through it.

The Drought

The Buffalo Sabres are on the verge of snapping the longest playoff drought in NHL history. There have been a generation of Sabres fans that may experience this feeling for the first time. And rest assured, this is not the Sabres clawing their way into a wildcard spot. The Sabres, if they win tomorrow, will be the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a spot. They will also take over Carolina for second in the NHL in points.

The journey is remarkable for a depraved fanbase finally feeling hope again. Unexpected too, the Sabres sat dead last in the conference in early December with a 11-14-4 record. They now have 100 points, and are looking to win the Eastern Conference. There will always be questions around how this group pulled it off. After all, outside of Logan Stanley and Sam Carrick, this is Kevyn Adams‘ hockey team.

For the first time since 2009-10 the Buffalo Sabres have reached 100 points!#Sabrehood pic.twitter.com/0k9AYDvCQf

— Buffalo Sports Talk (@BUFSportsTalk) April 1, 2026

Senators Recovery Mission

Man, the Senators are coming off of a rough game to say the least. Questions continue to circle around Linus Ullmark, and their last outing against the Florida Panthers could not have been worse. After giving up a goal eight seconds into the game, Ullmark gave up five total goals on 16 shots. Not ideal for the former Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender. The team lost the game 6-3, after being down five to nothing at the first intermission. Ottawa needed those points, but was saved by the fact so many other wildcard teams also lost on Tuesday night.

A MISPLAY BETWEEN SPENCE AND ULLMARK AND THE PANTHERS SCORE 8 SECONDS INTO THE GAME

A FRANCHISE RECORD FOR FASTEST GOAL ?? pic.twitter.com/rZzeQW7icR

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 31, 2026

Now, the team returns home, to play host to the best team in the conference. Not an easy transition, but if the Senators want to make the playoffs, they need to start winning these types of games. The Wild Card race is not going to get any easier, with five teams hoping to catch the last spot in the East. One thing is for sure, they need to move past what happened on Tuesday, if they want to have a chance to be playing by the end of the month.

Prediction

The Sabres are a team that’s hot. However, the Senators are in desperation mode, they’ll pick up the much needed points.

Prediction: 4-3 OT Senators

Prop Bets

Rasmus Dahlin and Tim Stutzle anytime assists feels like a good option. Dahlin is magical coming off of an unbelievable game against the Islanders. Stu needs to get his boys going.

Main Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

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