Senators Edge Sabres 2-1 as Ersson Stays Steady
Ottawa 2, Buffalo 1 — and the score flatters the Sabres. The Senators had the better looks most of the night, and only a sharp Colten Ellis kept this one within reach.
Ottawa's chances were worth close to three goals, Buffalo's closer to two. That gap shows up in expected goals, how many goals a team's chances were worth: 2.93 for Ottawa, 1.90 for Buffalo. Ottawa also outshot the Sabres 30-25 and won the faceoff battle by a wide margin.
Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio did the scoring. Philip Tomasino, on a line with Pinto and Drake Batherson, put four shots on goal and picked up an assist. Tim Stützle led Ottawa with five shots.
In the Ottawa net, Samuel Ersson stopped 24 of 25, allowing only Peyton Krebs' goal. That gives Ottawa some relief with its crease still unsettled. At the other end, Ellis made 28 saves, including 8 of 10 high-danger chances, the shots from right in close.
Neither power play scored. Buffalo's three-game win streak ends, and Ottawa holds the first wild-card spot.