The Buffalo Sabres return to KeyBank Center on Saturday afternoon, aiming to extend their winning streak to three games as they face off against the Seattle Kraken. After a commanding 4-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, the Sabres are building momentum and showcasing a defensive structure that has eluded them for much of the season.
Buffalo is inching closer to playoff contention with a 5-2-1 record in their last eight outings. The team remains in last place in the Atlantic Division but sits just seven points out of a wildcard spot. Saturday’s game presents a pivotal opportunity for the Sabres to string together points as they eye the second half of the season with renewed determination.
Defensive Cohesion Driving Success
A key factor in Buffalo’s recent success has been their penalty kill. Ranked second in the NHL since late December, the Sabres have killed off 88.9% of shorthanded situations during that span. In Thursday’s win, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stood tall between the pipes, stopping all 35 shots he faced to secure his third shutout of the season. Complementing the goaltending, Ryan McLeod and Peyton Krebs spearheaded a dynamic penalty-kill unit that stifled Ottawa’s attack.
Buffalo’s goaltending tandem of Luukkonen and James Reimer has combined for a stellar .923 save percentage while shorthanded since Dec. 23. That, coupled with a defense corps led by Rasmus Dahlin, who has recorded 11 assists in his last eight games, has solidified the Sabres’ ability to win the battles in their defensive zone.
Offensive Spark Plug
Offensively, the Sabres are riding contributions from some of their top players, Tage Thompson, Jason Zucker, and Alex Tuch. Thompson leads the team with 34 points, while Zucker has found his groove with 10 points in his last nine games. Tuch, meanwhile, has been a thorn in the Kraken’s side historically, recording six points in four career games against Seattle. His recent five-goal explosion over the last two home games has solidified his role as a game-changer for Buffalo.
Another player to watch is Jack Quinn, whose confidence has grown with each game. With 11 points in his last 11 outings, including a two-goal performance against Ottawa, Quinn continues to develop into a reliable offensive weapon.
Opponent Spotlight: Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken, in the midst of a four-game losing streak, arrive in Buffalo desperate for a turnaround. Struggling to find consistency under head coach Dan Bylsma, the Kraken have gone 3-8-2 since mid-December. Their offensive production has dried up, ranking 29th in goals scored per game (2.38) and shots on goal per game (24.8) during that span.
Jared McCann leads the Kraken with 30 points this season, but secondary scoring has been a challenge, particularly with veteran forwards Jordan Eberle and Yanni Gourde sidelined due to injuries. Goaltender Joey Daccord has been a bright spot, boasting a .913 save percentage, but the team’s defensive struggles have left him with little support.
Historically, the Kraken has had Buffalo’s number, going 5-1 in six matchups. However, the Sabres earned a decisive 6-2 win last March in their most recent meeting.
Projected Lineups from NHL.com
Kraken projected lineup
Jaden Schwartz — Matty Beniers — Kaapo Kakko
Jared McCann — Chandler Stephenson — Andre Burakovsky
Eeli Tolvanen — Shane Wright — Oliver Bjorkstrand
Tye Kartye — Mitchell Stephens — Brandon Tanev
Jamie Oleksiak — Brandon Montour
Scratched: Gustav Olofsson
Injured: Jordan Eberle (pelvis), Yanni Gourde (lower body)
Sabres projected lineup
Jason Zucker — Dylan Cozens — Tage Thompson
JJ Peterka — Ryan McLeod — Alex Tuch
Zach Benson — Peyton Krebs — Jack Quinn
Nicolas Aube-Kubel — Tyson Kozak — Sam Lafferty
Scratched: Dennis Gilbert
Injured: Mattias Samuelsson (illness), Beck Malenstyn (illness), Jiri Kulich (lower body), Jordan Greenway (middle body)
What’s at Stake
A win on Saturday would mark Buffalo’s fifth three-game winning streak of the season and provide a significant boost as they prepare for a challenging Western road trip later this month.
Game Details
- Puck Drop: 4:00 PM ET
- Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
- Broadcast: MSG (3:30 PM pregame show), ESPN+ (out of market)
- Radio: WGR 550
With a playoff push still within reach, the Sabres will look to feed off the energy of Kids Takeover Day at KeyBank Center and deliver another inspired performance. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
- Engage with the Sabres Insight on X: @SabresInsight
- Like Sabres Insight on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SabresInsight
- Join Sabres Insight on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SabresInsight/
- Follow Sabres Insight on Instagram: sabresinsightcom
- We are also on BlueSky: sabresinsight.bsky.social