- Matchup: Buffalo Sabres (11-15-4) at Toronto Maple Leafs (18-10-2)
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM ET
- Location: Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, ON
- TV Coverage: MSG (Buffalo broadcast market) | Pregame at 4:30 PM
- Streaming: ESPN+ (Out-of-market viewers)
- Radio Broadcast: WGR 550 AM
The Buffalo Sabres hit the road tonight, beginning a pivotal three-game stretch with a clash against the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. This road trip could not come at a more critical time for Buffalo. Winless in their last eight games (0-5-3), the Sabres aim to turn the tide and climb back into the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Sabres’ recent struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players, including captain Rasmus Dahlin, who will miss his fifth consecutive game due to back spasms. Despite this adversity, the team remains optimistic that the road trip will serve as a reset, starting with tonight’s matchup against one of the NHL’s elite teams.
Buffalo’s Task: Overcoming Washington’s Dominance
The Capitals enter tonight’s game as one of the league’s most formidable teams, boasting a 20-6-2 record. They lead the NHL in scoring with 3.96 goals per game and are anchored by a stingy defense allowing just 2.68 goals per contest. Even without Alex Ovechkin, who remains sidelined with a fractured fibula, Washington continues to shine thanks to its depth and key offseason acquisitions.
Dylan Strome has emerged as the team’s offensive leader, tallying 36 points in 28 games, while Connor McMichael’s 15 goals have nearly matched his career high from last season. Washington’s blue line, led by Jacob Chychrun and John Carlson, has contributed significantly to the offense, with Chychrun ranking third among NHL defensemen in goals scored (8). This balanced attack is complemented by standout goaltending from Logan Thompson, who has solidified his role as Washington’s starter with an impressive 11-1-2 record.
The Capitals’ dominance also extends to special teams, ranking fourth in penalty-kill efficiency (83.5%). Buffalo will need to capitalize on its scoring chances at even strength to avoid falling behind against such a disciplined opponent.
Sabres’ Key Players to Watch
Tage Thompson has been Buffalo’s most consistent offensive weapon recently, tallying five goals in his last five games. His ability to generate offense will be crucial against a Capitals team that thrives on limiting high-danger opportunities. Alex Tuch has also been productive against Washington, recording 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in nine career games against the Capitals.
Owen Power, riding a three-game point streak, has been a bright spot on Buffalo’s blue line. The 22-year-old defenseman rebounded from a rough start in Wednesday’s loss to the Rangers, contributing a goal and driving play effectively in the latter stages of the game. Buffalo will look to Power to sustain this momentum and provide a spark from the back end.
The Sabres’ secondary scoring could also play a pivotal role. Peyton Krebs, with three assists in his last two games, has quietly elevated his play. Meanwhile, Jason Zucker, who has five goals in his last 15 games, will need to continue finding the net as Buffalo seeks to match Washington’s offensive depth.
Buffalo’s goaltending tandem of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and James Reimer has performed admirably despite the team’s recent struggles. Luukkonen, in particular, has been stellar on the road this season, posting a 4-1-1 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. His ability to hold the Capitals’ offense at bay could be the deciding factor tonight.
Game Notes and Historical Context
Buffalo has fared well against Washington in recent years, earning at least a point in eight consecutive matchups (4-0-4). The Sabres also boast the second-highest all-time points percentage against the Capitals (.606), trailing only San Jose. This success has been driven by standout performances from players like Tuch and Thompson, who have consistently found ways to exploit Washington’s defense.
However, tonight’s game marks a significant test for Buffalo, as they are just 2-3-1 in their last six road games and 1-2-2 in the first game of back-to-back sets this season. The Sabres’ record in such situations underlines the importance of starting strong and avoiding early deficits.
Washington’s Formidable Depth
The Capitals have not missed a beat in Ovechkin’s absence, thanks in large part to their offseason acquisitions. Chychrun has been a revelation on the blue line, while forwards like Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane have added scoring punch to an already potent lineup. Tom Wilson continues to play his trademark physical game while contributing offensively with 11 goals and 11 assists.
Washington’s dominance at home (8-4-2) and stellar recent form (7-2-1 in their last 10 games) underscore the challenge Buffalo faces tonight. For the Sabres to succeed, they will need to play a disciplined, physical game and take advantage of any power-play opportunities they receive.
Projected Lineups for Today’s Game – Courtesy of NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
JJ Peterka — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
Zach Benson — Jiri Kulich — Dylan Cozens
Jordan Greenway — Ryan McLeod — Jason Zucker
Beck Malenstyn — Peyton Krebs — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Mattias Samuelsson — Owen Power
Dennis Gilbert — Connor Clifton
Scratched: Jacob Bryson, Henri Jokiharju, Jack Quinn
Injured: Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms), Sam Lafferty (lower body)
Capitals projected lineup
Aliaksei Protas — Pierre-Luc Dubois — Tom Wilson
Connor McMichael — Dylan Strome — Taylor Raddysh
Hendrix Lapierre — Lars Eller — Andrew Mangiapane
Brandon Duhaime — Nic Dowd — Ivan Miroshnichenko
Martin Fehervary — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Scratched: Dylan McIlrath, Alexander Alexeyev, Jakub Vrana
Injured: Alex Ovechkin (lower body), Sonny Milano (upper body)
Final Thoughts
As the Sabres take on the Capitals, the stakes are clear: a strong performance tonight could set the tone for the remainder of their road trip, while another loss would further jeopardize their playoff hopes. Against one of the league’s top teams, Buffalo must play a near-flawless game, leveraging its offensive stars, defensive depth, and goaltending to steal two points in hostile territory.
Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. at Capital One Arena, with coverage on MSG and WGR 550. Can the Sabres rise to the challenge and reignite their season? Stay tuned.