The Buffalo Sabres will try to set a new franchise record for consecutive road games with a point when they face the Vegas Golden Knights on March 17 at T-Mobile Arena.
The Sabres have earned points in their last ten road games, matching previous records from the 1983-84 and 2006-07 seasons. The team is currently 9-0-1 during this stretch.
This game marks the start of a four-game trip through the Pacific Division, with upcoming matches against San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles. All four opponents are competing for playoff spots in the Western Conference. “It’s a tough trip in regards that you’re gonna play four games in six nights,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “… And every team we’re playing is right there in the thick of it, so it’s gonna be one heck of a road trip.”
Mattias Samuelsson returns to the lineup after missing one game for maintenance, while Alex Tuch is out due to illness and will be replaced by Tyson Kozak. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start as goaltender with Colten Ellis as backup.
Owen Power enters the matchup on a three-game point streak, having recorded one goal and two assists over that span. The Sabres have also performed well against Pacific Division teams this season with a record of 9-2-0. Jason Zucker has scored in each of his three appearances against Vegas since joining Buffalo.
The Golden Knights are midway through a homestand and have won their last two games by a combined score of 10-2. Forward Mark Stone has returned from injury, while Pavel Dorofeyev leads his team with four goals over the past two games and now has 34 on the season. Goaltender Adin Hill recently posted a shutout against Chicago.
Vegas currently holds the NHL’s fifth-ranked power play but has also improved its penalty kill, allowing only one power-play goal over its last seven games.
