Hockey

Senators Stifle Sabres’ Playoff Hopes with 4-1 Victory

by
Richard Hayes
April 2, 2026

Lars Eller delivered a pivotal moment in the third period, breaking a tie and helping the Ottawa Senators secure a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. With this win, the Senators thwarted Buffalo’s attempt to clinch a long-awaited playoff spot, extending the Sabres’ NHL-record postseason drought to a staggering 14 seasons.

Buffalo’s quest to end their lengthy absence from the playoffs will have to wait, as they remain the team with the second-longest active playoff futility in North America’s major sports, trailing only the New York Jets.

The game’s momentum shifted when Eller deftly redirected a shot from defenseman Artem Zub past Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at 5:55 of the third period. This goal proved decisive as the Senators capitalized on their opportunities.

Earlier in the contest, Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson opened the scoring with a powerful wrist shot at 8:49 of the second period. However, the Senators responded when Dylan Cozens tied the game with a tip-in just before the end of the second period, marking his 26th goal of the season.

In the final moments, Ridly Greig and Shane Pinto sealed the victory for Ottawa with empty-net goals, showcasing the team’s offensive depth. Senators goalie Linus Ullmark was solid between the pipes, making 21 saves to help secure the win. This victory is crucial for Ottawa, who currently holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference as they embark on a five-game homestand.

On the other side, Luukkonen managed 20 saves for Buffalo, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Senators’ late-game surge. The Senators faced additional challenges as defenseman Tyler Kleven exited in the first period due to an upper-body injury, joining a growing list of absentees that includes Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson.

The intensity of the matchup was further highlighted when Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk engaged in a fight with Logan Stanley late in the first period, setting the tone for a physical contest.

Looking ahead, the Sabres will travel to Washington for their next game on Saturday, while the Senators will host the Minnesota Wild on the same day.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.