Sabres Rolling into UBS Arena with Momentum, History on the Line
As the Buffalo Sabres visit the New York Islanders at UBS Arena, this one isn’t just another midseason matchup-it’s a clash between two surging Eastern Conference squads with playoff aspirations and a whole lot of momentum on the line.
Buffalo enters the afternoon tilt sitting at 28-17-5, good for 61 points and fourth in the Atlantic Division. The Islanders aren’t far behind, clocking in at 27-18-5 with 59 points, holding third place in the Metropolitan. Both teams are in the thick of the playoff race, and while the standings are tight, the Sabres have been separating themselves with some serious heat over the past six weeks.
Buffalo’s Best Stretch in Nearly Two Decades
Let’s start with the obvious-Buffalo is scorching. The Sabres have picked up at least a point in 18 of their last 21 games, going 17-3-1 since December 9.
That’s not just a solid run; it’s the best 21-game stretch the franchise has posted since 2006. Yes, that 2006 team.
They’ve been winning with structure, timely scoring, and reliable goaltending. During this run, Buffalo has allowed just 2.48 goals per game-the third-fewest in the league over that span.
And on the road? They’ve been road warriors, winning 10 of their last 12 away from KeyBank Center, outscoring opponents 40-26.
Only Tampa Bay can say the same this season.
Alex Lyon Chasing Franchise History
Goaltender Alex Lyon has been a revelation. He’s won eight straight starts and is now one win shy of tying the longest winning streak by a Sabres netminder in franchise history.
That mark-nine straight-belongs to Gerry Desjardins, who set it back in 1976. Lyon’s 2.83 goals-against average and .907 save percentage don’t jump off the page, but he’s been clutch when it matters, and the Sabres are feeding off his confidence.
Tage Thompson Closing in on 200 Goals
Tage Thompson continues to be the engine up front. With 26 goals and 52 points through 50 games, he’s been on a tear-31 points in his last 25 games, including eight points in his last five.
He’s now just one goal shy of 200 with the Sabres. If he hits that mark today, he’ll become just the 13th player in franchise history to do it-and potentially the eighth to reach 200 goals within his first 500 games with the team.
That’s elite company, featuring names like Dave Andreychuk, Gilbert Perreault, and Thomas Vanek.
Dahlin Climbing the All-Time Ranks
Rasmus Dahlin, the heartbeat of Buffalo’s blue line, is also chasing history. With 306 assists, he’s just four away from tying Don Luce for seventh on the Sabres’ all-time list.
Dahlin’s been heating up lately too, with seven points (3G, 4A) in his last seven games. His ability to drive offense while logging heavy minutes has been critical to Buffalo’s recent surge.
Youth Movement Making an Impact
The Sabres’ recent success hasn’t just been about the stars. The kids are stepping up-and stepping in.
Rookie center Konsta Helenius is making an early statement. With four points (1G, 3A) in his first three NHL games, he’s one of just six players in Sabres history to hit that mark out of the gate. If he picks up a point today, he’ll join the likes of Phil Housley and Danny Gare as one of the few to notch five or more points in their first four NHL games.
Noah Ostlund is also finding his stride, with six points (2G, 4A) in his last six games. A point today would give him his first career three-game point streak. Jason Zucker (5 points in last 5), Jack Quinn (4 in last 4), and Ryan McLeod (10 in last 10) are all chipping in as well, giving Buffalo the kind of secondary scoring that separates good teams from great ones.
Projected Lineup: Balance Across the Board
Buffalo’s projected forward lines show a nice mix of size, speed, and youth:
- Josh Doan - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch
- Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
- Zach Benson - Noah Ostlund - Konsta Helenius
- Jordan Greenway - Peyton Krebs - Beck Malenstyn
On the blue line, the pairings bring a blend of experience and upside:
- Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin
- Bowen Byram - Owen Power
- Zac Jones - Zach Metsa
Alex Lyon is expected to get the start in net, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis backing him up. The Sabres are still dealing with a handful of injuries-Justin Danforth, Jiri Kulich, Conor Timmins, Josh Dunne, and Josh Norris remain out-but they’ve shown impressive depth in their absence.
Special Teams Snapshot
Buffalo’s penalty kill has been a quiet strength this season, ranking 7th at 83.2%. The power play, however, remains a work in progress at 19.0% (20th in the league). The Islanders, meanwhile, are struggling on the man advantage (15.9%, 29th) but sit just behind Buffalo on the PK at 82.1% (9th).
Islanders Leaning on Barzal and Horvat
For the Islanders, Mathew Barzal continues to be the offensive catalyst with 41 points in 49 games. Bo Horvat, despite playing just 36 games, leads the team with 21 goals. Matthew Schafer has also been a steady contributor with 34 points.
Between the pipes, Ilya Sorokin is expected to start. He’s been solid with a 2.51 GAA and .914 save percentage-numbers that make him one of the more dependable netminders in the league.
What to Watch
- Can Alex Lyon tie a franchise record with his ninth straight win?
- Will Tage Thompson hit the 200-goal milestone in Sabres colors?
- Can Konsta Helenius keep his historic start rolling?
- Will Buffalo’s red-hot road form continue?
The Sabres are playing like a team that knows exactly who they are-and more importantly, who they want to be. A win today not only keeps the streak alive, it adds another chapter to what’s quietly becoming one of the most compelling stories in the NHL this season.
Puck drops at 1:00pm ET. Don’t blink.