Senators defeat Sabres, move back into wild-card spot in East

Eller breaks tie in 3rd for Ottawa, which had lost 3 in row; Buffalo loses ground in Atlantic

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:16am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion and energy of a hockey game, with players and the puck represented through overlapping angular shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the intense on-ice action between the Senators and Sabres, reflecting the high stakes and playoff implications of their Eastern Conference matchup.Buffalo Today

The Ottawa Senators defeated the Buffalo Sabres in a key NHL matchup, moving back into a wild-card playoff position in the Eastern Conference standings. The game-winning goal was scored by Senators forward Lars Eller in the third period, breaking a tie and helping Ottawa snap a three-game losing streak. The loss was a setback for the Sabres, who are now further behind in the competitive Atlantic Division race.

Why it matters

This was an important divisional game with playoff implications, as the Senators and Sabres are both fighting for postseason positioning in the tight Eastern Conference. The win allows Ottawa to leapfrog Buffalo in the wild-card standings, while the Sabres missed an opportunity to gain ground on their Atlantic Division rivals.

The details

In a back-and-forth game, the Senators and Sabres were tied 2-2 entering the third period. That's when Ottawa's Lars Eller scored the go-ahead goal to put his team ahead for good. The Senators had lost their previous three games, so the victory was crucial to keep them in the playoff hunt. Buffalo, meanwhile, is now further behind the top teams in the Atlantic Division.

  • The game was played on April 3, 2026.

The players

Lars Eller

A forward for the Ottawa Senators who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Ottawa Senators

An NHL hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario that defeated the Buffalo Sabres in this key Eastern Conference matchup.

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL hockey team based in Buffalo, New York that lost ground in the Atlantic Division standings with this defeat against the Ottawa Senators.

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What’s next

The Senators will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Sabres will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This was a crucial win for the Senators, who were able to leapfrog the Sabres in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. The loss was a setback for Buffalo, who are now further behind the top teams in their division.