The Buffalo Sabres will face the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank Center on Black Friday, following a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in the week. In that game, the Sabres managed only 12 shots on goal through two periods but mounted a comeback attempt in the third period, driven by the line of Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn. Both Zucker and Quinn scored in the effort.
“It was a game where I thought that McLeod line dominated, for the most part,” said coach Lindy Ruff after Wednesday’s game.
Jack Quinn has now reached six goals this season, having scored in three consecutive games with each assisted by Zucker. Zucker has returned from illness to tally six points (two goals and four assists) since rejoining the lineup.
“He’s just a really good player,” Quinn said about Zucker. “Really fun to play with, makes players better around him. Great vision, and he’s just a gamer. He wins so many battles, and you feel like you’re playing offense way more with him.”
McLeod has also found success centering other wingers earlier this season, including Josh Doan and Alex Tuch.
Since being grouped together last Friday against Chicago, the Zucker-McLeod-Quinn line has outscored opponents 6-0 during 5-on-5 play over 35 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time. They have controlled significant portions of expected goals (75.3%), shot attempts (60.5%), shots on goal (59.5%), and scoring chances (71.4%).
With injured forwards returning—Zach Benson came back Sunday and Josh Norris could return soon—the Sabres are looking for continued contributions from their second line.
For fans planning to watch or listen to Friday’s 4 p.m. matchup:
– The TV broadcast is available on MSG in the Buffalo market starting at 3:30 p.m.
– Streaming options include Gotham Sports App and ESPN+ for viewers outside the market.
– Radio coverage can be found on WGR 550 or via the Buffalo Sabres App.
Josh Norris remains day-to-day with an upper body injury and will not play against New Jersey. Forward Jordan Greenway returns after missing two games for load management reasons. Alex Lyon will start in goal.
At home this season, Buffalo holds an 8-4-2 record at KeyBank Center and recently completed a homestand with three wins out of four games by focusing on early leads and effective power plays—going three-for-eight during those victories. The team averages 3.43 goals per game at home—sixth highest in the NHL—and its goaltending trio has combined for a .913 save percentage at home, ranking seventh leaguewide.
The Devils arrive having lost their last three road games as well as their previous three visits to KeyBank Center since March 2023. Despite these struggles away from home (6-7-0), they currently lead the Eastern Conference with 31 points after winning six games beyond regulation time this season—including an overtime victory over St. Louis secured by defenseman Simon Nemec.
New Jersey will be without leading scorer Jack Hughes due to finger surgery following a non-hockey-related incident. Veteran goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen each have seven wins; Allen leads statistically with a .908 save percentage compared to Markstrom’s .874.
