Buffalo Sabres vs. Nashville Predators: Game Preview and Key Storylines
January 20, 2026 | 8:00 PM ET | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
We’ve got an intriguing East vs. West showdown on tap tonight as the Buffalo Sabres head to Bridgestone Arena to take on the Nashville Predators.
Both teams are sitting in fifth place in their respective divisions, and while they’re not leading the pack, they’re very much in the thick of the playoff conversation. With Buffalo riding a serious hot streak and Nashville looking to claw their way up the Central, this one has the makings of a gritty, high-stakes midseason battle.
Where They Stand
- Buffalo Sabres: 26-17-5 (57 points, 5th in Atlantic)
- Nashville Predators: 23-21-4 (50 points, 5th in Central)
Buffalo’s been one of the NHL’s most consistent teams over the last month and a half. They’ve earned at least one point in 16 of their last 19 games (15-3-1) and are proving they can win on the road, too-taking eight of their last 10 away from home since December 9. Nashville, meanwhile, is trying to find some consistency, but with Juuse Saros between the pipes and a veteran core, they’re always a tough out at home.
Projected Starting Goalies
- Buffalo: Alex Lyon (10-6-3, 2.82 GAA, .906 SV%)
- Nashville: Juuse Saros (19-15-3, 2.94 GAA, .898 SV%)
Lyon has been a steady hand for Buffalo, and with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis also in the mix, the Sabres’ goaltending depth is holding up well. Saros, despite some statistical dips this season, remains a workhorse and a difference-maker for the Preds. He’ll need to be sharp against a Sabres offense that’s been clicking lately.
Special Teams Breakdown
- Buffalo Power Play: 19.4% (20th)
- Buffalo Penalty Kill: 82.6% (7th)
- Nashville Power Play: 20.3% (16th)
- Nashville Penalty Kill: 80.1% (13th)
Buffalo’s penalty kill has quietly become a strength, ranking inside the top 10 league-wide. And while their power play hasn’t been elite over the full season, they’ve turned it up lately-going 5-for-15 (33.3%) over their last four games. That kind of efficiency could be a difference-maker tonight.
Players to Watch
Buffalo Sabres:
- Alex Tuch: 40 points in 47 games, including 5 goals in his last 8. Tuch’s blend of size, speed, and finishing touch makes him a matchup problem every night.
- Rasmus Dahlin: 35 points in 44 games. He’s on a five-game point streak and closing in on Don Luce for 7th on Buffalo’s all-time assist list.
The 23-year-old blueliner is showing why he’s the engine of this team’s transition game.
- Tage Thompson: 29 points in his last 23 games, and 9 points in his last 5.
When he’s rolling, he’s one of the league’s most dangerous power forwards.
- Jack Quinn: 6 points in his last 6 games, including goals in back-to-back outings.
He’s heating up at just the right time.
- Josh Doan: 10 points in his last 10 games.
The rookie’s confidence is growing, and it’s showing on the scoresheet.
- Jason Zucker: Riding a three-game assist streak and set to play in his 800th career game tonight-a major milestone for the veteran winger.
- Ryan McLeod: 9 points in his last 8 games. His speed and two-way play are proving to be a great fit in Buffalo’s middle six.
Nashville Predators:
- Ryan O’Reilly: 44 points in 48 games. The former Sabre continues to do what he does best-win faceoffs, play a smart 200-foot game, and chip in offense.
- Filip Forsberg: 36 points, including 18 goals. When Forsberg gets time and space, he can burn you from anywhere.
- Luke Evangelista: 34 points in 47 games. The young forward is emerging as a key playmaker for Nashville, with 27 assists already this season.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres - Forwards:
- Peyton Krebs - Tage Thompson - Josh Doan
- Jason Zucker - Noah Ostlund - Alex Tuch
- Zach Benson - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
- Jordan Greenway - Konsta Helenius - Beck Malenstyn
- Extra: Tyson Kozak
Defense:
- Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin
- Bowen Byram - Michael Kesselring
- Owen Power - Zach Metsa
- Extra: Jacob Bryson
Goaltenders:
- Alex Lyon
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
- Colten Ellis
Injuries:
- Justin Danforth (lower body, IR)
- Jiri Kulich (blood clot, IR)
- Conor Timmins (broken leg, IR)
- Josh Dunne (mid-body, IR)
- Josh Norris (ribs, week-to-week)
Buffalo’s depth has been tested with several key injuries, but they’ve managed to keep the engine running smoothly. Young players like Doan, Quinn, and McLeod have stepped up, while veterans like Tuch and Zucker are doing their part to lead by example.
What’s at Stake
For Buffalo, this game is another chance to prove they’re not just a hot team-they’re a serious playoff contender. They’ve been banking points at an impressive rate, and with the Atlantic Division as competitive as ever, every win matters.
For Nashville, it’s about holding serve at home and staying within striking distance in the Central. The Preds have the talent to go on a run, but they’ll need to start stringing together wins to keep pace.
Final Word
This is a classic midseason measuring stick game. Buffalo is surging, Nashville is grinding, and both teams have just enough firepower to make this a fun one. Keep an eye on the special teams battle and the young guns on both sides-there’s a lot of skill on the ice tonight, and it could come down to which team capitalizes on the little moments.
Puck drops at 8:00 PM ET in Nashville.