Sabres at Senators | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines

The Sabres have played their way past the talk of magic numbers and out-of-town help. Now, the math is simple: Win, and they’re in.

Buffalo visits the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre, where a win of any kind would secure the Sabres’ first Stanley Cup Playoffs berth since 2011.

• Path to the Playoffs | Standings and clinching scenarios
• Become a 2026-27 Season Ticket Member to guarantee seats for this year’s playoffs!

This dominant run began nearly four months ago, and in last place in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo has gone 35-7-4 since Dec. 9, including two straight wins after last week’s 0-1-2 rough patch, to reach 100 points on the season. As a result, the Sabres are gearing up for late-April hockey, while division rivals like the Senators are just clawing to stay in the wild card race.

The Sabres have won both matchups this season against the Senators, who have allowed 14 goals during a three-game winless streak. Those details, plus Buffalo’s stellar road record, mean Thursday could go down as a memorable night in franchise lore.

Here are the details before puck drop.

Note: Buffalo would also clinch Thursday with an OT/SO loss, a PHI win over DET and a CAR win over CBJ.

How to watch

TV (Sabres broadcast market): MSG (Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.)

Streaming: Gotham Sports App

Radio: WGR 550 / Buffalo Sabres App

More ways to watch/listen to Sabres games

Lineup notes

The Sabres didn’t practice Wednesday, so there’s been no further update on Sam Carrick. The fourth-line center sustained a left-arm injury during a fight and exited Tuesday’s win over the Islanders.

Thursday’s morning skate could hint at Buffalo’s plans in net. Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had alternated starts since the Olympic break, but Luukkonen just got a second straight game and played well versus New York.

Check back after the 11:30 a.m. skate and 6:30 p.m. warmups for potential updates.

Notable numbers

• A win would give the Sabres 102 points, their most since 2006-07 (113).
• Buffalo’s power play is 11-for-35 (31.4%) in the last 12 games, fourth best in the league since March 8.
• The Sabres have 13 players with 10-plus goals, the most of any NHL team.
• Peyton Krebs has a career-best 11 goals, eight of which have come in the third period.
• With two assists Tuesday, Josh Norris is up to 27 points (10+17) in 37 games this season.
• Linemates Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn have two goals apiece versus Ottawa this season.

Scouting the Senators

Ottawa figures to be motivated after Tuesday’s 6-3 loss in Florida, which saw Linus Ullmark allow five in the first period. Goaltending has been an issue all season for the Senators with a league-worst .873 team save percentage.

Just two points behind Columbus for the second wild card spot, the Senators are still very much in playoff contention, but their blue line has been decimated by injury. Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Nick Jensen and Dennis Gilbert have all been unavailable, and prospect call-up Carter Yakemchuk didn’t finish Tuesday’s game.

The Sabres’ first win of the season was an 8-4 home blowout of Ottawa on Oct. 15. They met again at Canadian Tire Centre on Dec. 23, when Bowen Byram had a three-point night and the overtime winner.