Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators Box Score on Dec 31, 2023

Anton Forsberg made 45 saves in a 5-1 win for the Ottawa Senators against the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

Thomas Chabot had two assists for the Senators in his return to the lineup after missing 12 games with a fractured tibia.

Five different Senators scored as Ottawa improved to 3-3 under interim coach Jacques Martin.

Tage Thompson scored and Devon Levi made 26 saves for the Sabres, who lost for the fifth time in their past seven games (2-4-1).

Jakob Chychrun gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead on the power play at 6:51 of the first period. Claude Giroux spotted Chychrun sneaking in from the point to the right circle and sent a cross-ice feed for a one-timer. The goal was his 200th NHL point.

Zack MacEwen put the Senators up by a pair at 12:38. Chabot collected a Sabres clearing attempt in the neutral zone and sent it to Jacob Bernard-Docker, who sent a short pass up the right side. MacEwen took it to the right circle for a slap shot that beat Levi glove side.

Thompson cut it to 2-1 with 14 seconds remaining in the period. The Buffalo center pressured Bernard-Docker in the corner on the forecheck, forcing a turnover, which he then carried to the slot for his 10th of the season.

The Sabres pushed the pace in the second period and had several chances early, including a partial breakaway for JJ Peterka that was stopped by Forsberg. Jeff Skinner's attempt on the rebound was then blocked by Tim Stutzle in the crease.

The Senators went ahead 3-1 at 12:42 when Dominik Kubalik sent a backhand shot floating past Levi's glove.

Mark Kastelic extended it to 4-1 with 16 seconds left in the period, knocking Erik Brannstrom's shot into the back of the net.

Buffalo outshot Ottawa 18-5 in the second period.

The Senators appeared to score at 6:32 of the third period but the Sabres challenged for offside and the goal was overturned after video review.

Artem Zub scored an empty-net goal at 15:16 for the 5-1 final.

--Field Level Media