April has arrived for the Ottawa Senators in the middle of their playoff chase with having eight of nine games at home for the month. But, the first game of April is against a team they have not fared well against this season, the Buffalo Sabres.
For being the worst team in the Eastern Conference this season, the Sabres have beaten the Senators in all three meetings this season. With the playoff chase due to intensify more, the Senators hope the fourth time is the charm.
Senators conclude season series against Sabres
The Senators host the Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Last game for the Senators on Sunday was a stalemate against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Steel City. Despite Anton Forsberg making 34 saves, Sidney Crosby's overtime winner was the only goal scored in the Senators' 1-0 loss.
Despite the loss, the Senators did earn one point to have 84 points in the standings. The Senators finished March by going 10-3-2 to earn 22 points to be in a playoff position when April arrived.
As for the Sabres, they come into tonight's game with a 31-36-6 record. The Sabres have won four of their last five games with the most recent being an 8-5 road win against the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals.
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 65 points and 38 goals. Rasmus Dahlin leads the Sabres with 44 assists and is tied for the third most points on the team with 57 along with Alex Tuch. JJ Peterka is second on the Sabres with 59 points.
In the first two meetings against the Sabres, the Senators fell by four goals in both games. Last game against the Sabres exactly one week ago in Buffalo where the Senators fell 3-2 in regulation. Ex-Senator Jacob Bernard-Docker scored of the goals for Buffalo in the win.