The Buffalo Sabres have improved their performance on the road after a slow start to the season. The team did not win an away game until November 15, but now holds a .520 road points percentage (12-11-2), placing them 16th in the NHL. This is a significant change from early December, when their record dropped to .231 (2-9-2) following a loss in Calgary.
Forward Josh Doan attributed this improvement to the team’s approach when playing away games. “It’s something as a group we worked on and talked about: I think you have to take a little bit of a villain mentality when you come on the road, and want to silence the crowd and have fun with it,” Doan said after Buffalo’s recent win at Madison Square Garden.
Head coach Lindy Ruff commented on how the coaching staff experiences these games differently from players. “We have very little fun, I can tell you that,” Ruff said after practice at Northwell Health Ice Center. “Maybe a little after the game.”
The Sabres’ success has been helped by timely goals, including Mattias Samuelsson’s shorthanded goal against the Rangers, Alex Tuch’s overtime winner in Edmonton, and Peyton Krebs’ late empty net goals in several cities.
Ruff also emphasized the importance of controlling momentum during games. He referenced using his timeout during Thursday’s game at Bell Centre after Nick Suzuki scored for Montreal, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 3-2. “I’ve seen it in this building where they score one, they score another one within 30 seconds,” Ruff said. “So really, part of that was buying time and trying to get the crowd out of it.”
Statistically, Buffalo’s shooting percentage increased from 9 percent in their first 13 road games to 13.2 percent in their last 12 games; both figures compare with an NHL average of 10.9 percent. Their team save percentage also improved from .844 to .926 over those periods; the league average is .891.
Looking ahead, Buffalo will face another Eastern Conference opponent on Saturday afternoon when they play against the New York Islanders.
During Friday’s practice, Rasmus Dahlin did not skate due to blocking a shot late in Thursday’s game but is expected to play Saturday. The team plans to recall a defenseman from Rochester because both Dahlin and Jacob Bryson were absent from practice due to injuries.
Forward Zach Benson participated fully in practice after being shaken up by an elbow during Thursday’s game against Montreal. Ruff addressed Benson’s condition: “Incidental or not, I felt it was a little bit of a cheap shot, but he’s back smiling and laughing this morning, so he’s doing good.”
Goaltender Alex Lyon had his own net during practice and may start against the Islanders; he previously defeated them on December 20 by making 32 saves plus four stops in a shootout.
The Sabres arrived early Friday morning on Long Island but still held practice despite limited opportunities this month. “Really, just try to have a light day, just get the blood flowing,” Ruff said. “Instead of just staying at the hotel with maybe an active release, just get on the ice, shoot a few pucks, and goalies get to feel good, too.”
MSG will begin pregame coverage at 12:30 p.m., with puck drop scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at UBS Arena.
