Mike Hoffman probably wishes his first career hat-trick came under better circumstances. The Hoff was on fire, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome the Sabres in a 5-4 loss. Being on a four-game win streak, the Senators were due for a stinker. Craig Anderson looked human, and their dominant powerplay allowed three goals on five chances. It was ugly, but even the best teams have ugly games every now and then.
Things didn’t start out great for Ottawa. Derick Brassard took a high-sticking penalty six minutes in, and the Sabres needed seven seconds to score on that powerplay.