Buffalo Sabres Seek Fourth Consecutive Win in Crucial Matchup Against Dallas Stars

Buffalo

14-21-5 | L1

8:00 PM

American Airlines Center

📺 MSG-B

Dallas

24-13-1 | W4

BUF

TEAM STATS

DAL

33 Rank: 29

PTS

49 Rank: 12

3.03 Rank: 15

GF/GP

3.21 Rank: 10

3.40 Rank: 27

GA/GP

2.50 Rank: 2

17.9% Rank: 23

PP%

15.4% Rank: 29

78.2% Rank: 20

PK%

85.4% Rank: 1

As the Buffalo Sabres hit the road to face the Dallas Stars tonight at the American Airlines Center, they aim to extend their three-game winning streak in a pivotal matchup that promises high-intensity hockey. The puck drops at 8 p.m. EST, with fans able to tune in via MSG in the Buffalo broadcast area or ESPN+ for out-of-market streaming. Radio coverage is available on WGR 550.

A Rising Sabres Squad

Riding a wave of momentum, Buffalo is coming off a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. This performance showcased a delicate balance of airtight defense and opportunistic offense—a strategy that has allowed them to outscore opponents 17-5 during this streak. At 14-19-4, the Sabres are looking to build consistency as they push through their Western Conference road trip.

Defensively, Buffalo has excelled, allowing just 9.06 high-danger chances per 60 minutes at even strength during this streak—elite numbers that align with the NHL’s best. A key contributor to this effort is captain Rasmus Dahlin, who was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week after amassing seven assists over the past three games. Dahlin’s ability to dictate play from the back end has been instrumental in the team’s recent success.

Forward Jason Zucker, a veteran presence, attributes the team’s offensive surge to their defensive commitment. “If you don’t defend, you’re going to be in the D-zone the entire time. It’s good for us to home in on that, and we’ll keep working on it,” he said.

Star Players to Watch

Several Sabres players have elevated their game during this streak. Jack Quinn, a young forward with a knack for offensive flair, has registered multiple points in three consecutive contests. Meanwhile, rookie Jiri Kulich has continued to impress, with five points in his last five games, including three goals.

Owen Power, fresh off a stellar performance against Dallas earlier in the season, will be another player to watch. In their October 22 matchup—a 4-2 Buffalo victory—Power dished out three assists while anchoring the Sabres’ blue line. Tage Thompson also looms large, having recorded six points in his last seven games against Dallas.

Challenging the Stars

The Dallas Stars, at 21-13-1, are no strangers to defensive excellence. Boasting the NHL’s third-best goals-against average (2.54), Dallas features a formidable defensive corps led by Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell. Goaltender Jake Oettinger has been a rock in net, ranking fifth in the league with a 2.38 GAA.

On the offensive side, Matt Duchene leads the Stars with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists). Dallas has thrived at home, posting a 13-5-1 record at the American Airlines Center, making tonight’s contest a formidable challenge for Buffalo.

Key Storylines

Special Teams Impact
The Sabres’ penalty kill has been flawless during their winning streak, neutralizing all six opportunities, including a perfect 4-for-4 showing against St. Louis. This will be tested against Dallas’ disciplined special teams.
Defensive Depth
With Dahlin and Power leading the way, Buffalo’s defense is proving its ability to stifle top-tier opponents. Keeping Dallas’ top playmakers, including Duchene and Jamie Benn, off the scoresheet will be crucial.
Goaltending Duel
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start for Buffalo after a stellar 28-save performance in the October matchup. His ability to match Oettinger’s consistency in goal could be the deciding factor in this game.

A Historic Date

The Sabres are 14-16-5 all-time on December 31, with memorable moments such as Alexander Mogilny’s 300th NHL game in 1993 and Maxim Afinogenov’s hat trick in 2003. Tonight, Buffalo will look to create another lasting memory as they aim for a rare four-game winning streak.