Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres prediction: Ullmark watch

The Ottawa Senators visit the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and goaltending is the biggest question in this Senators vs Sabres prediction. Linus Ullmark went 7–1–0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage before a lower-body strain sent him to injured reserve on October 22. Coach Travis Green said then that he would miss one to two weeks, a window that reaches this regular-season game.

Buffalo has its own problems. The Sabres are 4–4–3 and have not won in their last three games, and they are scheduled to finish a four-game road trip in Los Angeles on October 31. Ottawa arrives at the end of a five-game road trip of its own.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

When is Senators vs Sabres?

The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in Buffalo, New York. It is a regular-season game in the 2026–27 NHL season and the first of four meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals.

Other daily games on the schedule are listed in the daily sports prediction markets guide.

What is Senators vs Sabres prediction?

OG.com's market makes the Senators the favorite at 77%, with the Sabres at 75%. Market data as of October 26, 2026. For the latest market probabilities, check the OG.com platform.

Prices reflect trading activity, available information, liquidity and contract rules, and they can change as lineup news arrives. Our guide to how to read prediction market prices explains the percentages.

The case for Ottawa is a stronger start to the season and an offense that scored five or more goals in two of its last three games. The case for Buffalo is home ice, three days between its Los Angeles game and this one, and an opponent whose starting goalie is unsettled. Starting goalies for both teams are the main facts still to be confirmed.

Senators vs Sabres recent scores and head-to-head results

Each team's latest regular-season results from 2026–27 point to different problems.

Ottawa's results track its goaltending. Ullmark left the October 21 win in the third period, Samuel Ersson allowed four goals on 26 shots against San Jose, and Jonas Johansson stopped 24 of 28 shots in his Senators debut against New York. The Senators outshot the Sharks 43–26 in that loss, so the shot count did not follow the score.

Four of the Sabres' last five games needed overtime or a shootout, which fits a team that has stayed close while allowing goals. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 30 saves on 34 shots in the October 24 loss.

The most recent meeting was April 2, 2026, a 4–1 Ottawa win at home. Buffalo won the first two 2025–26 meetings, 8–4 on October 15, 2025, and 3–2 on December 23, 2025. Ottawa's goalie group has changed since, with Ersson arriving in a June trade and Johansson debuting on October 24, so last season's results offer limited guidance.

Where do the Senators and Sabres stand this season?

Through October 26, Ottawa is 8–4–0 with 16 points in 12 games, second in the Atlantic Division behind Boston's 19 points. Buffalo is 4–4–3 with 11 points in 11 games, eighth in the division and level on points with seventh-place Detroit.

Ottawa has scored 38 goals and allowed 34, a +4 goal differential. Buffalo has scored 31 and allowed 41, a –10 differential. With neither team past 12 games in an 82-game season, the table shows early form more than a playoff race.

Senators vs Sabres team news, injuries and projected lineups

Goaltending shapes the news for both teams, and either depth chart can change before puck drop.

Ottawa Senators

Ullmark's status is open. Green's one-to-two-week timeline from October 22 reaches this game, and ESPN's injury feed lists an estimated return of November 7. Ersson and Johansson are the options in net, and no starter has been named.

Captain Thomas Chabot has an upper-body injury suffered on October 17 and skated in a non-contact jersey on October 24. Green expects him back at some point on the road trip, which ends in Buffalo. Winger William Eklund had ankle surgery and is not expected back before mid-January.

Buffalo Sabres

Forward Jiri Kulich is in concussion protocol after taking a puck to the face in practice on October 23, and he did not travel for the California portion of the trip. Coach Lindy Ruff has not ruled out a return during the trip, so Kulich's status for November 4 is open. If he is out, Tage Thompson could center Jason Zucker and Konsta Helenius, a projection from the team's October 23 practice lines.

Luukkonen has made nine appearances to Colten Ellis's three, with a .866 save percentage, and neither has been named for this game. Alex Lyon, Sam Carrick, Matt Grzelcyk and Conor Timmins are on injured reserve.

What could decide Senators vs Sabres?

Three issues could swing a game between two teams with such different starts.

Can Ottawa find steady goaltending without Ullmark?

Ersson is 0–3–0 with a .835 save percentage this season, and Johansson has one Senators appearance, a win. If Ullmark is cleared in time, Ottawa's goaltending would look very different from the group that played San Jose and New York. If he is not, the Senators need a goalie group whose save percentages sit well below his.

Can Buffalo tighten its defense at home?

Buffalo was outshot 34–21 and gave the puck away 24 times at Washington on October 24. Tim Stützle leads Ottawa with eight goals and eight assists, so turnovers near the Sabres' net could give him chances. Jack Quinn leads Buffalo with six goals and 11 points, and the Sabres need that scoring to hold up if Kulich is missing.

Does the end of Ottawa's road trip change the schedule picture?

The Senators play their fifth straight road game in Buffalo, after Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose and Anaheim, with two days between the November 1 Anaheim game and this one. Buffalo has three days after its scheduled October 31 game in Los Angeles, which could be a modest edge.

Ottawa's route is its stronger record and offense, provided its goaltending holds up. Buffalo's route is home ice and games that stay close, provided its defense stops giving away chances. The main uncertainty is whether Ullmark returns in time.

FAQs

Three quick answers about this game.

Who is starting in goal for Senators vs Sabres?

Neither team has named a starter. Ottawa is without Ullmark unless he returns from injured reserve, and Buffalo has leaned on Luukkonen with Lyon injured.

What time is Senators vs Sabres on November 4?

The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in Buffalo.

Who is injured for Senators vs Sabres?

Ottawa's injury list includes Ullmark, Chabot and Eklund, with Chabot expected back at some point on the road trip. Buffalo has Kulich in concussion protocol and Lyon, Carrick, Grzelcyk and Timmins on injured reserve.

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