The Buffalo Sabres open their post-All-Star Break portion of their 2019-20 National Hockey League season on Tuesday night, when they host the Ottawa Senators.
Much like most Canadian teams, Ottawa holds a special place in the hearts of the Buffalo Sabres and their fans.
With the division rivalry naturally built in by the NHL, the geographical rivalry also turns the heat up on proceedings between these teams.
This season, the Buffalo Sabres have faced the Ottawa Senators twice. Both teams have a regulation victory against each other.
Historically, across the board, Buffalo has had Ottawa’s number.
In 143 regular season games all-time, Buffalo holds a record of 73-53-10-10 (W-L-T-OTL).
In four postseason series matchups all-time, Buffalo holds a 3-1 record against Ottawa.
On the surface, those numbers tell the broader story but as you dig in, it is very easy to realize just how intense this rivalry has been over the years.
The first memory that pops up for most fans is the infamous line brawl back in 2007.
A questionable high hit on then-Sabres star forward Chris Drury sparked one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
“The Brawl”, as it has come to be known in Sabres lore, has been held in such high regard that the Buffalo Sabres own production “Beyond Blue and Gold” had a ten-year anniversary special.
The regular season was not the only time of the year that provided memorable moments between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators.
In March 2006, Ottawa was just trying to stave off elimination at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres.
To set the scene, the game was in overtime and the Sabres were working on killing off a Senators power play opportunity.
The puck was cleared out of the Sabres zone with the puck being passed to Jason Pominville. The rest, as they say, is history.
One of the most memorable goals in all of franchise history for the Buffalo Sabres. Not only did Pominville’s goal complete a 4-1 series victory over the Ottawa Senators but Pominville’s goal would also go in the books as the first-ever short-handed series-winning overtime goal in NHL history.
These days, there is not much history to write home about when the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators take the ice.
Current members of the Sabres have seen personal success against the Senators as of late.
Forward Jack Eichel has amassed 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 15 career games against Ottawa.
Forward Sam Reinhart has also seen success against the Senators. In 18 career games, Reinhart has totaled 16 points (six goals, 10 assists).
Forward Conor Sheary is another Sabres forward who has some success against Ottawa. Sheary has gathered 7 points (two goals, five assists) in 13 games.
Forward Kyle Okposo enjoys taking the ice opposite the Senators. In 37 career games against, Okposo has put up 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists).
Even defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has gotten his shots in against Ottawa. In six career games, Dahlin has three points (zero goals, three assists).
Between Buffalo’s seemingly never-ending rebuild, coupled with Ottawa’s newly-started rebuild, the old hatred seems to have faded away for the time being.
Buffalo heads into Tuesday’s game in ten points out of a playoff spot, both in the Wild Card and in the Atlantic Division.
Ottawa, on the other hand, finds themselves 19 points back in both the Wild Card and in the Atlantic Division.
They say that winning heals everything. Winning would certainly would help re-spark the once white hot rivalry between Buffalo and Ottawa.
Looking to get to this matchup? StubHub has your tickets.
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