Sabres vs. Kings: Buffalo Chasing History as Lyon Eyes Franchise Record
Puck drops tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
The Buffalo Sabres are rolling-and not just in the “hot team” sense. They’re steamrolling.
Winners of four straight and sitting 19-3-1 over their last 23 games, the Sabres are the NHL’s hottest team heading into tonight’s matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. And if they pick up another win, they’ll do something no Sabres team has ever done before: collect 20 wins in a 24-game span.
That’s not just a nice stat-it’s historic. The last time Buffalo even sniffed this kind of dominance was back in 1974, when the team went 18-2-2 over a 23-game stretch.
And now, with 39 points over their last 23 games, they’ve already matched that legendary run. One more win tonight would push them to 41 points in 24 games, a new franchise best.
Sabres Finding Their Stride-And Then Some
Let’s start with the obvious: this team is clicking. Offensively, defensively, in net-Buffalo’s getting contributions across the board.
Tage Thompson continues to lead the charge up front, piling up 34 points in his last 27 games. He’s been especially sharp lately, with 24 points over his last 17. When Thompson gets going, the Sabres’ top line becomes a handful, and with Alex Tuch riding shotgun (43 points in 51 games), that duo is giving opposing defenses fits.
On the blue line, Rasmus Dahlin is doing what elite defensemen do-controlling play at both ends and racking up points in the process. He’s got 13 points in his last nine games, including goals in back-to-back outings, and now sits just two assists shy of tying Don Luce for seventh on the Sabres’ all-time list. That’s rare air for a 23-year-old defenseman.
Buffalo’s also getting timely contributions from its depth. Jason Zucker has seven points in his last seven games.
Mattias Samuelsson is riding a four-game assist streak. Peyton Krebs has points in four straight, and Jack Quinn has six in his last six.
This isn’t just a team leaning on its stars-it’s a full lineup playing confident, connected hockey.
Lyon’s Run at the Record Books
And then there’s Alex Lyon.
The veteran netminder has been a revelation during this surge, winning nine straight starts. If he picks up another tonight, he’ll set a new franchise record for the longest winning streak by a Sabres goalie. His current line-12-6-3, 2.70 GAA, .911 save percentage-might not jump off the page, but the timing and consistency of his play have been crucial to Buffalo’s rise.
He’s expected to get the nod again tonight, and with the way he’s seeing the puck and the team’s confidence in front of him, there’s no reason to think the run ends here.
Kings Looking to Regain Footing
On the other side, the Los Angeles Kings are trying to find some traction. They come in at 22-16-13, sitting fifth in the Pacific Division, and have struggled to string wins together consistently.
Offensively, Adrian Kempe (40 points), Kevin Fiala (37), and Quinton Byfield (28) are leading the charge, but the Kings have had trouble finishing chances, especially on the power play. Their 15.6% success rate ranks 30th in the league, and that’s a tough matchup against Buffalo’s fifth-ranked penalty kill (83.6%).
Darcy Kuemper is projected to start in goal for L.A. His numbers-13-9-9, 2.56 GAA, .902 save percentage-are solid, but he’ll need to be sharp against a Sabres team that’s been lighting it up at home. Buffalo has won seven of its last nine at KeyBank Center (7-1-1), and they’ve been feeding off the energy of a fan base that’s starting to believe this team could be something special.
Lineup Notes and Milestones
Buffalo’s lineup remains mostly intact, though they’re still dealing with a handful of injuries. Justin Danforth, Jiri Kulich, Conor Timmins, Josh Dunne, Josh Norris, and Jacob Bryson are all sidelined. Even so, the Sabres’ depth has held strong, with young players like Zach Benson, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Ostlund stepping into bigger roles.
Tonight also marks a special milestone for Lindy Ruff, who is set to coach his 1,300th game with the Sabres. It’s a remarkable number that speaks to his longevity and the deep ties he has with this franchise.
What’s at Stake Tonight
Beyond the personal milestones and historical benchmarks, this is a game that matters in the standings. Buffalo sits third in the Atlantic with 65 points, and every win helps solidify their playoff positioning in a crowded Eastern Conference.
For L.A., this is about staying in the mix out West. They’re in a tight race in the Pacific, and every point counts as they try to climb back into a playoff spot.
But make no mistake-this night is about Buffalo. A red-hot team with a chance to make history on home ice, with their goalie chasing a franchise record and their coach hitting a major milestone. If the Sabres keep doing what they’ve been doing, this could be another night to remember in what’s shaping up to be a special season in Western New York.