The Buffalo Sabres embark on a critical four-game road swing, starting this afternoon with a clash against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center. Riding high after back-to-back dominant wins, Buffalo is poised to maintain momentum as they eye another step forward in a tightly contested Atlantic Division.
Power Milestone: A Journey in Progress
All eyes will be on Owen Power as he hits a significant career milestone in his 200th NHL game. Nearly three years ago, Power debuted in Toronto, symbolizing the Sabres’ commitment to building from within. The 22-year-old defenseman has become a cornerstone of Buffalo’s blue line, logging heavy minutes while delivering consistent offensive production.
Power enters the game with 22 points this season, including five goals. His ability to drive offense at even strength has been critical, ranking third among NHL defensemen in even-strength points. Though his defensive game is still evolving under head coach Lindy Ruff’s physical system, Power’s poise and breakout passing remain key assets in Buffalo’s transition game.
Dahlin Dominance
Captain Rasmus Dahlin has been a driving force since recovering from early-season setbacks. The elite defenseman has six assists in the last two games, showcasing his ability to control the pace of play and spark Buffalo’s offensive rush. In his last outing, Dahlin’s on-ice presence led to a lopsided 7-1 goals-for advantage at 5-on-5, a testament to his game-breaking ability.
Dahlin’s chemistry with rookie Zach Benson has also been noteworthy. The duo’s precision play against Chicago highlighted the captain’s vision, creativity, and Benson’s knack for finishing opportunities. With Dahlin firing on all cylinders, the Sabres’ blue line is poised to continue leading the charge.
Emerging Depth Scoring
Buffalo’s recent offensive surge has been fueled by contributions across the lineup. The second line of Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, and JJ Peterka has been particularly impactful, combining for three goals in the last two games while suppressing opposing scoring chances. Riding a six-game point streak, Peterka has been a consistent catalyst, while Cozens’ two-way play adds a stabilizing presence.
On the third line, Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Peyton Krebs have quietly dominated possession. Their performance against Chicago saw them generate 11 scoring chances in limited minutes, demonstrating the depth and balance that Buffalo has long sought.
Scouting the Blues
The Sabres will face a resurgent St. Louis team that has thrived under new head coach Jim Montgomery. Since the coaching change in late November, the Blues have posted an 8-4-3 record, including a 7-4 win over Nashville on Friday. St. Louis boasts an improved rush game led by Jordan Kyrou, who tops the team with 31 points, and Robert Thomas, who has been red-hot with 22 points in his last 18 games.
Buffalo and St. Louis last met on November 14, a game that ended in a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory for the Sabres. However, both teams were missing key players in that matchup—Tage Thompson for Buffalo and Thomas for St. Louis. With both rosters at near full strength, today’s contest promises to be a more dynamic showdown.
lineups from NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
Jason Zucker — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
Jack Quinn — Dylan Cozens — JJ Peterka
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)
Blues projected lineup
Pavel Buchnevich — Robert Thomas — Jake Neighbours
Dylan Holloway — Brayden Schenn — Jordan Kyrou
Brandon Saad — Oskar Sundqvist — Zack Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko — Mathieu Joseph — Nathan Walker
Scratched: Scott Perunovich
Injured: Nick Leddy (lower body), Radek Faksa (lower body), Alexandre Texier (illness)
Keys to the Game
For Buffalo, success will hinge on maintaining defensive discipline against a dangerous Blues attack. Samuelsson’s return to form has stabilized the Sabres’ penalty kill, but the Blues’ power play, ranked in the NHL’s top half, will test their resolve. As seen in recent outings, Buffalo’s ability to utilize quick transitions and control puck possession will be crucial at even strength.
On the offensive end, Buffalo will look to Alex Tuch, who has been on a tear with six points in his last two games. Thompson’s return adds another layer of firepower, particularly against his former team, where he has historically delivered strong performances.
Puck Drop
The Sabres enter today’s matchup holding an all-time record of 9-13-5 on December 29. With momentum on their side, they have a prime opportunity to buck historical trends and continue climbing the standings. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. on MSG, with puck drop set for 3 p.m.