Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions November 5th 2024

Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators November 5th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Senators and Sabres. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Sabres are favored by -1.5 against the Senators in a Atlantic division matchup.

Ottawa vs. Buffalo Key Information

With a 3-0 win over the Kraken, the Senators moved to 6-5-0 this season. Ottawa, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line with the victory. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the game’s combined 3 goals fell well short of that mark.

All three of Ottawa’s goals came from different players. Adam Gaudette opened the scoring at 14:32 in the first period, followed by Brady Tkachuk in the second, and Tim Stützle sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the third.

Ottawa’s offense struck three times in their 3-0 win over Seattle, with Tim Stützle netting his 6th goal of the season on an empty net. Brady Tkachuk added his 7th goal, while Adam Gaudette also scored his 7th, opening the scoring at 14:32 of the first period.

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Despite 11 giveaways, the Senators managed 23 shots on goal. Stützle picked up his 10th assist on Tkachuk’s second-period goal, which came 8:49 into the period.

Defensively, the Senators were rock solid, allowing 0 goals and only 22 shots on goal from the Kraken. Anton Forsberg finished with 22 saves and a perfect 100% save percentage. The defense also contributed 2 takeaways, 25 hits, and 14 blocks.

Buffalo fell to 4-7-1 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres held a 1-0 lead after the first period, but Detroit responded with two goals in the second. Buffalo entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 3 goals fell short of the 6.5 line.

Alex Tuch scored the Sabres’ only goal, coming at 11:39 in the first period. It was a short-handed goal, but Buffalo’s offense stalled from there, despite getting 32 shots on goal. Both of Detroit’s goals came on the power play.

Buffalo’s offense struggled in their 2-1 loss to Detroit, with Alex Tuch’s shorthanded goal at 8:21 in the first period being their only score. The Sabres fired 32 shots on goal but were unable to capitalize on any of them after Tuch’s fifth goal of the season.

Buffalo had 13 giveaways in the game and didn’t register any assists. They were shut out in the second and third periods, unable to find the net after Tuch’s early goal.

Defensively, the Sabres will look to bounce back after allowing two second-period goals to the Red Wings, both of which came on the power play. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recorded 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. Buffalo’s defense also had 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Senators to come out with a win against the Sabres while playing on the road. Considering the moneyline odds at -104, I’m placing my bet on the Senators to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Senators winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Senators straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Senators Look to Keep Momentum Going Against Struggling Sabres

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is feeling optimistic about his team’s direction. With recent wins bolstering their confidence, the Senators will aim to continue their upward trajectory when they face the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.

Ottawa’s recent performance has certainly given Tkachuk plenty of reasons to feel upbeat. Following a disappointing 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 27, the Senators rebounded with an 8-1 thrashing of the St. Louis Blues, followed by a hard-fought loss to the New York Rangers and a dominant 3-0 shutout against the Seattle Kraken.

“After the Colorado game, we were extremely disappointed with how we played there,” Tkachuk shared. “There’s been an emphasis since then to never let that happen again. The last three games have shown the way that we need to play.”

Gaudette’s Scoring Surge Boosts Senators’ Depth

One standout in Ottawa’s recent success has been Adam Gaudette, who has surged onto the scoresheet with six goals in his last five games. Tied for second in goals on the team alongside Tim Stutzle and just one behind Tkachuk, Gaudette has found a rhythm in his role on the fourth line. After several seasons of development in the AHL, the former Hobey Baker winner is showcasing his scoring prowess in the NHL.

“I’ve had to round out my game defensively without the puck,” Gaudette said. “I could always score, but the rest of my game wasn’t there to be able to play at this level yet.”

Gaudette’s commitment to improving his overall game is paying dividends for the Senators, who are focused on consistency and building a strong foundation to compete for a playoff spot.

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Sabres’ Penalty Kill Woes Continue

For the Buffalo Sabres, it’s been a season of struggles thus far. The team has been stuck at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and recently suffered a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, with both goals conceded on the penalty kill. Despite some bright moments, including Alex Tuch’s second short-handed goal of the season, the Sabres’ special teams have continued to be a weak spot.

“The penalty kill was the obvious difference. It is unacceptable to give up two goals,” Tuch commented after the Detroit loss. “In the second half of the game, I thought we took over and played very well, but we need to bury some chances.”

Thompson’s Point Streak Ends, But Offensive Contributions Remain Strong

Tage Thompson, who has been a significant offensive contributor for Buffalo this season, saw his career-high eight-game point streak come to an end in the Detroit game. Thompson leads the Sabres with seven goals and 13 points and was a key player in last season’s matchups against the Senators, notching five goals across the four-game series split.

The Senators are determined to build on their recent success, while the Sabres will be looking to tighten their penalty kill and take advantage of home ice to get back on track. As Ottawa continues to mold itself into a playoff contender, Buffalo will aim to stabilize and find a winning formula. This game presents an intriguing matchup between two teams with contrasting trajectories and will be a test of resolve for both.