Sabres vs. Senators prediction: Ottawa favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [4/2/2026]
Get Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators predictions for NHL Thursday.

The Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres will meet in the NHL at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday, starting at 7:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model gives the Senators a slight edge with a 51% win probability over the Sabres.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's Sabres vs. Senators matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Sabres vs. Senators prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Sabres and Senators, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Senators a 51% chance of defeating the Sabres.
According to our model, the Sabres (+1.5) have a 69% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 52% chance of staying under.
Sabres vs. Senators odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Sabres | Senators |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-245) | -1.5 (+205) |
| Moneyline | +100 | -115 |
| Total | o6.5 (+100) | u6.5 (-120) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Sabres vs. Senators picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Sabres +1.5 | -245 |
| Moneyline | Sabres | +100 |
| Total | Over 6.5 | +100 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Sabres to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Sabres vs. Senators player props
Who will score a goal in Sabres vs. Senators?
According to our model, Tage Thompson is most likely to score an anytime goal in Sabres vs. Senators.
Our projections give Thompson a 40.5% chance of scoring a goal at Canadian Tire Centre, while the star is an 8.0% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 40.5% |
| Alex Tuch | 31.0% |
| Josh Norris | 25.3% |
| Jason Zucker | 24.1% |
| Jack Quinn | 19.4% |
Ottawa Senators
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Brady Tkachuk | 35.4% |
| Tim Stutzle | 32.7% |
| Drake Batherson | 31.3% |
| Dylan Cozens | 25.1% |
| Shane Pinto | 23.8% |
First goal scorer predictions
Buffalo Sabres
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | 8.0% |
| Alex Tuch | 5.8% |
| Josh Norris | 4.4% |
| Jason Zucker | 4.2% |
| Jack Quinn | 3.5% |
Ottawa Senators
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Brady Tkachuk | 7.0% |
| Tim Stutzle | 6.3% |
| Drake Batherson | 6.0% |
| Dylan Cozens | 4.7% |
| Shane Pinto | 4.3% |
Sabres vs. Senators game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Senators and Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators
- Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Canadian Tire Centre
Conclusion
We predict the Senators, with a 51% win probability, will likely beat the Sabres on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Sabres vs. Senators insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice, head to our responsible gambling hub.
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