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The Ottawa Senators visit the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at KeyBank Center, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game streams nationally in Canada on Amazon Prime Video, while MSG-B carries the regional broadcast in Buffalo. U.S. viewers outside the Sabres’ market can watch through NHL Power Play in the ESPN app, subject to blackout rules.
Buffalo (7-4-3) enters with three consecutive victories, and Tage Thompson is the biggest reason fantasy managers should pay attention. The Sabres forward has 10 goals and 17 points in 14 games after producing eight points during Buffalo’s California sweep.
Ottawa (9-6-1) counters with Tim Stützle, who has 21 points through 16 games, and Drake Batherson, who has scored nine goals. Both have helped keep the Senators competitive despite injuries and changes to the forward group.
The matchup presents an interesting fantasy question: Can Ottawa’s top scorers exploit Buffalo’s struggling penalty kill, or will Thompson’s extraordinary shot volume and the Sabres’ improving power play decide the game?
How to Watch Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
- Canada: Amazon Prime Video, Wednesday Night Hockey
- United States: MSG-B in the Buffalo market
- U.S. out-of-market streaming: NHL Power Play through the ESPN app, subject to restrictions
Canadian viewers should look for the game on Prime Video rather than assuming it will appear on the Senators’ usual regional TSN broadcast.
For upcoming matchups and channels, visit our Ottawa Senators TV schedule.
Tage Thompson Is Buffalo’s Biggest Fantasy Advantage
Thompson enters Wednesday as one of the NHL’s hottest offensive players.
The Sabres centre was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week after collecting five goals and three assists in three games.
His overall production is impressive: 10 goals, seven assists and 63 shots on goal through 14 appearances.
But the shots may be more valuable to fantasy managers than the recent scoring surge.
Thompson is averaging 4.5 shots per game, more than twice Stützle’s 2.13. That gives Thompson a substantial advantage in formats rewarding shots, even when neither player scores.
His recent production also reflects how Buffalo is creating opportunities. Jack Quinn has eight goals and 14 points, while Zach Benson has contributed 11 assists. Their work with Thompson and Buffalo’s other offensive contributors is helping generate more dangerous power-play possessions.
For Wednesday, Thompson is NHLTradeRumor.com’s strongest overall fantasy play, particularly in leagues combining goals, shots and power-play production.
Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson Lead Ottawa’s Response
Ottawa’s offence still has the ability to punish Buffalo.
Stützle has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 16 games, a rate of 1.31 points per game.
Batherson has nine goals and nine assists for 18 points, while Shane Pinto has contributed 11 points.
That provides Ottawa with multiple scoring options rather than leaving its entire attack dependent on one player.
There is, however, an important lineup adjustment.
According to the Senators’ November 3 practice report, Philip Tomasino continued skating with Pinto and Batherson on the second line.
Tomasino has already contributed offensively during his recent opportunities, and his placement alongside Batherson gives him some short-term fantasy relevance.
Ottawa also has Dylan Cozens playing alongside Stützle in its recent practice combinations. That makes Cozens worth watching in deeper leagues, especially those rewarding hits as well as scoring.
For standard fantasy formats, Stützle remains Ottawa’s safest points selection. Batherson is a strong alternative for managers seeking goal-scoring upside.
The Special-Teams Matchup Could Change the Game
This is where the matchup becomes particularly interesting.
Buffalo’s penalty kill entered the game operating at 68.6 percent, ranking 28th in the NHL according to the Sabres’ November 3 team report.
Ottawa’s power play, meanwhile, has converted 12.5 percent of its opportunities.
That combination does not guarantee Ottawa power-play goals, but it creates a matchup worth examining.
Buffalo has also started to generate better results with the man advantage. The Sabres converted four of six power plays over their final two California games.
Ottawa has its own concerns defensively. The Senators surrendered four power-play goals in their 6-3 loss to Anaheim on November 1.
The important distinction is that both teams have weaknesses that the other could exploit.
A high number of penalties would increase the fantasy value of players such as Thompson, Quinn, Stützle, Batherson and the offensive defensemen working on their respective power-play units.
NHLTR original analysis: Thompson owns the stronger shots-based fantasy profile, but Stützle has the slightly higher season-long points-per-game rate. Their relative value depends heavily on whether a fantasy league rewards shot volume or mainly scoring.
NHLTR Fantasy Matchup Snapshot
Thompson vs. Stützle
63 shots | 1.21 points/game
34 shots | 2.13 shots/game
Thompson offers the stronger shot-volume profile. Stützle carries the slightly higher points rate. League scoring settings determine the better pick.
Method: shots/game = total shots / games played; points/game = total points / games played. Rounded to two decimals. Descriptive season statistics, not a single-game forecast. Sources: NHL and season stat records.
Injuries, Lineup Changes and Goaltending
Both clubs enter Wednesday with personnel questions.
Ottawa is missing William Eklund, Warren Foegele and Andre Burakovsky. The latter two suffered injuries during the current road trip, creating opportunities for Tomasino and recalled forward Sammy Blais.
Ridly Greig and Tyler Kleven missed Tuesday’s practice for maintenance, so their final availability should be checked before puck drop.
Buffalo received encouraging news when coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Zach Benson would be available against Ottawa.
Jiri Kulich has cleared concussion protocol and could also become an option, although his participation was not confirmed.
In goal, Colten Ellis occupied the starter’s crease for much of Buffalo’s Tuesday practice, suggesting he could start. He has a 3-1 record and an .880 save percentage.
Buffalo has not officially confirmed that assignment, and Ottawa’s starting goaltender also remained unconfirmed at the time of this preview.
That uncertainty matters. Fantasy managers should verify the starters before making goaltending decisions rather than treating projected lineups as official.
NHLTR Fantasy Hockey Picks and Game Prediction
Best overall fantasy pick: Tage Thompson, Buffalo
Thompson’s combination of goals, shots and power-play usage makes him the most appealing player in this matchup.
Best Ottawa pick: Tim Stützle
Stützle’s consistent involvement in Ottawa’s offence makes him the preferred option for points-focused fantasy formats.
Strong secondary option: Jack Quinn, Buffalo
Quinn’s eight goals through 14 games and recent success on the power play give him meaningful scoring upside.
Potential value pick: Drake Batherson, Ottawa
Batherson is producing at better than a point-per-game pace. His top-six role provides a strong opportunity against a Buffalo defence that has not always been consistent.
Deeper-league watch: Philip Tomasino, Ottawa
His recent promotion creates an opportunity, although his small sample of NHL production this season makes him a more speculative fantasy selection.
Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres Score Prediction
NHLTR prediction: Buffalo Sabres 4, Ottawa Senators 3.
This is an editorial prediction, not a betting line or statistical model.
Buffalo gets a narrow edge because of Thompson’s shot generation, improved recent power-play execution and the advantage of returning home after its successful road trip.
Ottawa’s offensive talent is capable of overturning that prediction, particularly if the Senators can draw penalties and take advantage of Buffalo’s penalty kill.
The biggest remaining variable is goaltending. Final starter confirmations could materially change the outlook.
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