The Buffalo Sabres continue their challenging four-game road trip with a Thursday night clash against the high-flying Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. After a heart-wrenching 5-4 loss in their last meeting on December 3, the Sabres are eager to rewrite the script and come away with two points against one of the NHL’s most formidable teams.
A Tale of Two Teams
The Sabres (14-20-4) enter the contest on the heels of a 4-2 defeat to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, a game marked by flashes of resilience but ultimately undone by defensive lapses. Despite the loss, Buffalo has shown signs of improvement, winning three of their last four games and tightening up their play in all zones.
Meanwhile, the Avalanche (23-15-0) have surged to third place in the Central Division thanks to a potent combination of high-octane offense and newfound stability in goal. Colorado is riding a five-game winning streak, punctuated by a commanding 5-2 victory over Winnipeg. With the league’s top scorer, Nathan MacKinnon (61 points), and elite defenseman Cale Makar (46 points) leading the charge, the Avalanche pose a daunting challenge for the visiting Sabres.
Key Matchups to Watch
Sabres’ Third Line vs. Avalanche Depth:
Buffalo’s third line of Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Peyton Krebs has been a revelation in recent games. Over their last four outings, the trio has driven play effectively, outshooting opponents 25-15 at 5-on-5 and contributing four goals. Their ability to neutralize Colorado’s depth forwards will be critical in determining the game’s outcome.
Tage Thompson vs. Colorado Defense:
Thompson, the Sabres’ leading scorer with 18 goals, has been a consistent threat against the Avalanche, tallying 11 points in 10 career games. His ability to generate offense against a disciplined Colorado blue line, anchored by Makar and Devon Toews, will be a focal point.
Goaltending Duel:
The Avalanche’s midseason acquisition of Mackenzie Blackwood has been transformative. Blackwood’s .936 save percentage since joining Colorado has stabilized the team’s goaltending situation, while Scott Wedgewood provides a reliable backup option. On the Sabres’ side, Devon Levi will need to be at his best to counter Colorado’s explosive offense.
Stats and Trends
- Special Teams: Colorado ranks 11th in power-play efficiency (25.3%), while Buffalo’s penalty kill sits at a respectable 78.2%. Maintaining discipline will be key for the Sabres to avoid giving the Avalanche’s stars extra opportunities.
- Player Streaks: Mikko Rantanen’s 11-game point streak (19 points) has been a driving force for Colorado. Jason Zucker has tallied five points for Buffalo in his last five games, including two in back-to-back contests.
Projected Lineups from NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
Jason Zucker — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka — Dylan Cozens — Jack Quinn
Zach Benson — Jiri Kulich — Peyton Krebs
Beck Malenstyn — Ryan McLeod — Sam Lafferty
Mattias Samuelsson — Owen Power
Scratched: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Henri Jokiharju, Dennis Gilbert
Injured: Jordan Greenway (middle body)
Avalanche projected lineup
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Jonathan Drouin — Casey Mittelstadt — Ross Colton
Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor
Juuso Parsinen — Oskar Olausson — Jere Innala
Keaton Middleton — Sam Malinski
Scratched: Calvin de Haan
Injured: Valeri Nichushkin (lower body), Ivan Ivan (upper body), Oliver Kylington (undisclosed), Gabriel Landeskog (knee), Tucker Poolman (head), Miles Wood (upper body)
What’s at Stake?
For the Sabres, Thursday’s game represents an opportunity to prove they can compete with the league’s elite. A win would snap Colorado’s five-game streak and bolster Buffalo’s confidence as they continue their road trip. Extending their winning run for the Avalanche would solidify their position in the Central Division and further showcase their recent dominance.
Puck drop is at 9:00 PM ET. Fans can catch the action on MSG in Buffalo or ESPN+ for out-of-market streaming, with radio coverage on WGR 550.