Sabres and Senators Clash in Key Atlantic Division Matchup

Emerging Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven looks to continue his strong play against the visiting Sabres

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:08pm

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The Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators, two of the hottest teams in the NHL over the past two months, meet at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday, April 2. The game features a key prediction and best bet centered around Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven, who has seen increased minutes and shot volume since an injury to teammate Thomas Chabot.

Why it matters

This Atlantic Division clash features two teams jockeying for playoff position, with the Senators looking to solidify their hold on a wild card spot and the Sabres hoping to gain ground in the division race. Kleven's continued strong play could be a key factor in determining the outcome.

The details

Injuries have forced Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven into added minutes, logging 25:52 per game since the night Thomas Chabot broke his forearm. Kleven's shot volume had already been trending up prior to the Chabot injury, as he's registered a respectable 20 shots on 36 attempts across his past nine games while recording two or more shots in six of them. This also isn't a terribly daunting matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, who have allowed 29.2 shots per road game and rank 21st in Corsi For percentage at five-on-five on the highway.

  • The Sabres and Senators meet on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
  • Chabot suffered a broken forearm on a recent night, leading to increased minutes for Kleven.

The players

Tyler Kleven

A defenseman for the Ottawa Senators who has seen his role and shot volume increase due to an injury to teammate Thomas Chabot.

Thomas Chabot

An Ottawa Senators defenseman who suffered a broken forearm, leading to increased playing time for teammate Tyler Kleven.

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What’s next

The Senators desperately need a win in this key divisional matchup as they look to solidify their hold on a playoff spot. The outcome of this game could have significant implications for the Atlantic Division standings.

The takeaway

This game features two of the hottest teams in the NHL over the past two months, with the Senators' Tyler Kleven emerging as a key player to watch due to his increased role and shot volume since the injury to teammate Thomas Chabot. Kleven's continued strong play could be a deciding factor in this important Atlantic Division clash.