Sabres Surge Continues as They Host Penguins in Atlantic-Metro Clash
The Buffalo Sabres are riding one of the hottest stretches in franchise history, and tonight’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center could mark yet another milestone. With a win, Buffalo would notch 22 victories in a 28-game span for the first time ever - a testament to the team’s consistency, depth, and buy-in across the board.
Let’s set the stage.
Where They Stand
Buffalo enters the night at 32-18-6, good for 70 points and fourth place in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins, meanwhile, sit second in the Metropolitan at 28-15-12 with 68 points. Both teams are firmly in the playoff hunt, and both have been trending in the right direction - but Buffalo’s recent run has been particularly eye-opening.
Since December 9, the Sabres have gone 21-4-2, picking up points in 23 of their last 27 games. That 44-point haul leads the entire NHL over that span.
And it’s not just the wins - it’s how they’re getting them. Buffalo has allowed just 2.52 goals per game during this stretch, the third-best mark in the league.
They’re not just finding ways to win - they’re locking games down.
Special Teams Snapshot
This one could be decided on the margins, and special teams will be a key battleground.
Pittsburgh boasts one of the league’s most dangerous power plays at 26.4% (3rd overall), and their penalty kill is just as stout, ranking third at 84.2%. Buffalo’s units are solid but not quite as lethal - the power play sits at 20.1% (16th), and the penalty kill is a respectable 82.1% (9th). Discipline and execution will be crucial against a Penguins team that can flip a game with a single man advantage.
Star Watch
Tage Thompson continues to be the offensive engine for Buffalo. With 58 points in 56 games (29 goals, 29 assists), he’s been on a tear, racking up 37 points in his last 31 games. He’s riding a three-game point streak and looking to extend it to four - something he’s already done four times this season.
Rasmus Dahlin is putting together a Norris Trophy-caliber campaign. He’s got 18 points in his last 13 games (7 goals, 11 assists), including a six-game point streak and assists in five straight.
Another point tonight would match his second-longest streak ever, and another assist would tie his career-best assist streak at six games. With two helpers in Florida last week, Dahlin moved into sole possession of seventh all-time in Sabres franchise assists (312), now tied with Rick Martin for sixth.
Alex Tuch has also found his groove, notching seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in his last six games. Meanwhile, Jack Quinn and Ryan McLeod have been quietly effective - Quinn has 14 points in his last 14 games, while McLeod has 18 points in his last 16, including assists in back-to-back outings.
And don’t overlook Josh Doan, who’s scored in two straight games. Another tally tonight would mark the second-longest goal streak of his young career.
Penguins Firepower
Pittsburgh still runs through its longtime cornerstones. Sidney Crosby is doing what he always does - lead.
With 59 points in 55 games, he remains one of the most reliable producers in the league. Evgeni Malkin, despite playing in just 40 games, has racked up 43 points.
And Anthony Mantha has chipped in 20 goals and 21 assists, providing some much-needed secondary scoring.
Between the Pipes
Buffalo will likely turn to Alex Lyon, who’s been steady all season with a 14-7-3 record, a 2.66 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage. With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on injured reserve, Lyon’s role becomes even more critical as the Sabres push through a pivotal stretch of the schedule.
Pittsburgh is expected to go with Stuart Skinner, who has a 19-12-5 record but a more pedestrian .890 save percentage. If Buffalo’s top six can generate early pressure, Skinner could be in for a long night.
Lineup Look
Buffalo’s top line of Jason Zucker - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch has been a force, combining size, skill, and speed. The second unit, featuring Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn, has been a sneaky-good trio, providing energy and offense in equal measure.
On the back end, Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin continue to anchor the top pairing, while Bowen Byram and Owen Power form a young, mobile second unit. Samuelsson has chipped in offensively as well, with 12 points in his last 12 games.
Injury Report
Buffalo remains without several key contributors:
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower-body, IR)
- Josh Norris (ribs, week-to-week)
- Zach Benson (upper-body, day-to-day)
- Jiri Kulich, Conor Timmins, Josh Dunne, and Justin Danforth remain on IR
Despite the injuries, the Sabres have found ways to adapt - a testament to their depth and coaching.
What’s at Stake
This game isn’t just another regular-season tilt - it’s a measuring stick. Buffalo has been red-hot, but the Penguins are a battle-tested team with playoff pedigree. A win tonight would not only set a franchise record but also send a message: the Sabres are for real.
And with the standings as tight as they are, every point matters. Especially when you're chasing history.