Buffalo Sabres host Ottawa Senators in NHL clash at KeyBank Center

match details and competition context

On Thursday, 5 November 2026, the Buffalo Sabres will welcome the Ottawa Senators to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo for an NHL regular-season encounter. The puck drops at 00:30 UTC as both teams look to improve their positions in the league standings.

standings and points battle

Currently, the Buffalo Sabres sit 9th in the NHL standings, having played 14 games with 7 wins and 4 losses, amassing 17 points. Their goal difference stands at minus six, with 43 goals scored and 49 conceded. The Ottawa Senators are positioned higher in 4th place after 16 matches, collecting 19 points from 9 wins and 6 losses. They have a positive goal difference of one, scoring 52 goals and conceding 51. The points gap between the two teams is just 2, which adds an extra edge to this fixture as the Sabres aim to close the gap on their visitors.

recent form and scoring trends

Buffalo have been in decent shape lately, winning three of their last five games. Their recent results include away victories over the Los Angeles Kings (3-2), Anaheim Ducks (7-6), and San Jose Sharks (2-0). However, they suffered losses against the Washington Capitals (3-4) and Philadelphia Flyers (1-3). The Sabres have averaged 3.2 goals per game and conceded 3 across these matches, demonstrating a tendency for competitive, high-scoring encounters.

Meanwhile, Ottawa's form has been mixed, with two wins and three losses in their last five outings. Their wins came against the San Jose Sharks (5-1) and New York Rangers (7-4), while defeats were handed by Anaheim Ducks (3-6), Los Angeles Kings (5-6), and Vegas Golden Knights (1-4). The Senators have been involved in high-scoring affairs, averaging 4.2 goals for and against per game in recent matches. This attacking edge could make for an open and exciting contest.

head-to-head history

The two sides have met just once this season, with the Ottawa Senators taking a 4-1 victory at home on 2 April 2026. This previous meeting saw the Senators dominate and could give them a psychological edge going into this game. However, with the Sabres playing on home ice this time, they will be looking to reverse that result and claim a valuable win.

where to watch

Fans in the United States can catch the match live on ESPN+ and MSGB, ensuring accessibility for supporters of both teams. The game promises to be an intriguing contest between two clubs with closely matched points tallies and contrasting recent form, set in the familiar surroundings of the KeyBank Center.

Where the teams stand

Recent form

Head-to-head