Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions March 25th 2025

Dylan Cozens Returns to Buffalo as Senators Face Sabres

Dylan Cozens is set for an emotional reunion as the Ottawa Senators take on the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. After being traded from Buffalo earlier this month, Cozens has quickly become an essential piece of the Senators’ playoff ambitions. Now, he returns to his old stomping grounds looking to make a statement against his former team.

Cozens, the seventh overall pick by Buffalo in 2019, made a name for himself as a promising forward, scoring 77 goals and 120 assists in 341 games with the Sabres. Despite his individual success, Cozens never made a playoff appearance with Buffalo, a team that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2011.

Since joining the Senators, Cozens has made an immediate impact, recording three goals and four assists in just eight games. Ottawa (37-27-5, 79 points) has gone 6-2-0 during his tenure, firmly holding the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and pushing toward their first playoff berth since 2017.

For more insights on playoff odds and team performance, check out the NHL Eastern Conference Odds.

Cozens Leading the Charge

Cozens has quickly established himself as a key playmaker in Ottawa’s lineup. In a recent game against the New Jersey Devils, he assisted on Drake Batherson’s 20th goal of the season, helping the Senators secure a 3-2 victory and avoid a three-game losing streak. Batherson has been productive alongside Cozens, recording six goals and 10 assists over his last 18 games.

Reflecting on his transition from Buffalo to Ottawa, Cozens expressed mixed emotions:
“I really wanted to be part of the solution in Buffalo. It’s tough. … But at the same time, there’s a very exciting opportunity in Ottawa, and I’m super excited to be part of the Sens.”

Ottawa’s ability to maintain their momentum will be crucial as they continue to push for the playoffs. Cozens’ chemistry with Batherson and other key players has been vital in revitalizing the team’s offense.

For more updates on how trades are impacting team performances, visit the NHL Trade Deadline Odds.

Sabres Looking to Spoil Cozens’ Return

The Buffalo Sabres (28-35-6, 62 points) have had a rough season, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, they have dominated the Senators in previous matchups, outscoring them 9-1 in their two wins earlier this season.

One standout performer for the Sabres has been JJ Peterka, who recorded two goals and an assist in a 5-1 win over Ottawa on November 5. Peterka also scored against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, assisted by Ryan McLeod, who tallied a goal and three assists in that game. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff praised his team’s ability to compete with elite opponents like Winnipeg:
“We showed we could play with (Winnipeg), and we played well.”

Peterka has been on a roll recently, notching seven goals and six assists in his last 12 games. Meanwhile, Ryan McLeod has been on fire as well, with three goals and eight assists in his last nine games. This resurgence has helped the Sabres go 4-3-0 after enduring a tough 0-5-1 skid.

For more updates on the Sabres’ performance and odds, visit the NHL Atlantic Division Odds.

Goaltending Battle

Ottawa’s goaltending has been solid with Linus Ullmark between the pipes. Ullmark made 25 saves against the Devils and previously stopped 29 of 34 shots in a tough loss to Buffalo in November. His stable presence has helped the Senators maintain a strong record during their playoff push. Anton Forsberg, another reliable option, has also been performing well with a 2.03 goals-against average and three wins in his last five road starts.

On the Buffalo side, backup goaltender James Reimer made 33 saves on Sunday, while primary goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been dominant against Ottawa this season, stopping 72 of 73 shots in both wins.

For more goalie stats and analysis, check out the NHL Goalie Leaders.

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Key Matchup: Cozens vs. His Former Team

The focus will undoubtedly be on Dylan Cozens as he returns to face his former squad. Buffalo’s defense will need to keep a close eye on Cozens, who has been a consistent offensive threat since joining Ottawa. Additionally, the Senators must be wary of JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod, who have been generating offense for the Sabres despite the team’s struggles.

The Senators need to break through Buffalo’s goaltending, which has been stellar against them this season. If Ottawa can get off to a fast start and pressure the Sabres’ defense early, they could control the tempo of the game.

For more game predictions and picks, visit the NHL Picks.

What to Watch For

• How will Dylan Cozens perform against his former team?
• Can the Sabres continue their dominance over the Senators this season?
• Will JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod extend their hot streaks?
• Can Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg maintain their strong goaltending performances?
• Will the Senators’ offense break through Buffalo’s solid defensive setup?

For more insights on team dynamics and playoff implications, visit the NHL Stanley Cup Odds.

Conclusion

Dylan Cozens’ return to Buffalo is set to be an emotional and competitive matchup as the Senators aim to continue their playoff push against a Sabres team looking to spoil the party. With both teams bringing different motivations to the ice, it’s sure to be a captivating contest. Can Cozens lead Ottawa to victory against his old team, or will Buffalo’s recent success against the Senators continue?

For more betting insights and expert analysis, visit the NHL Expert Betting Guide.