The Buffalo Sabres’ penalty kill has emerged as one of the NHL’s top defensive units early in the 2025-26 season. During a recent game against the Washington Capitals, the Sabres successfully defended three power plays in the third period, preventing any scoring chances from a Capitals team led by Alex Ovechkin.
Currently, Buffalo is tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the league lead in penalty kill percentage at 90.5 percent, having killed 38 out of 42 penalties so far this season.
“We’ve been trying to work on it since Day 1, knowing it’s been something that we need to improve,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. “There’s been some structure change to it. (Conor) Timmins has been a big acquisition for the kill. Our stand at the (blue) line the other night was excellent; we didn’t give them a lot of easy entries. (Mattias) Samuelsson has been so good when they’re coming down his side. (Jordan) Greenway back has helped us out.”
“… Those three kills we had [Saturday], the three late ones, from a structure and a sense of desperation killing, were excellent.”
Defensemen Conor Timmins and Mattias Samuelsson have played key roles on special teams. According to Natural Stat Trick, Timmins leads all NHL players in shorthanded shot blocks and ranks sixth in total shorthanded time on ice this season.
“Just getting in the lane,” Timmins said regarding his shot-blocking efforts. “Obviously, our whole group’s been really committed to that, and it’s been a big reason for success on our kill.”
The Sabres’ strategy includes close marking of top opponents like Ovechkin and anticipating passing lanes to force turnovers.
“It all starts with our pressure,” Timmins said. “I think when we’re pressuring the puck and aggressive and making sure we get 200-foot clears, that’s when we’re at our best.”
Buffalo’s defense has also focused on limiting high-danger scoring chances from opponents’ power plays by challenging zone entries and maintaining strong positioning inside their own end.
“I think we’re doing a good job challenging the entries,” Samuelsson said. “I think that’s where it starts, obviously, and then in zone, just limiting their big plays, the plays they want to go to. And if they are getting chances, it’s a ‘C’ chance instead of what they’re mainly looking for.”
Samuelsson is tied for seventh in shorthanded shot blocks and ranks second among all NHL players with seven hits while killing penalties.
“Sometimes the power-play guys don’t expect to get hit, so you can catch them off guard,” Samuelsson said. “If you can knock someone down or disrupt the play, (it) maybe gives your penalty killers a couple extra seconds while he’s out of position to make a play and kill more of the penalty.”
Forwards Ryan McLeod and Alex Tuch have logged significant minutes on special teams as well; Tuch led all NHL players last year with six shorthanded goals.
Goaltending has also contributed significantly: Alex Lyon currently leads all goalies with 7.03 goals saved above expected while shorthanded according to Evolving-Hockey data. The Sabres have posted an NHL-best .943 save percentage during penalty kills.
With these efforts combined, Buffalo holds a record of five wins, four losses, and three overtime/shootout losses so far this season.
“Our goal is just to be the best version of ourselves possible,” Timmins said. “I don’t know if we were necessarily chasing numbers or anything like that, but every guy’s just looking to contribute and do their job.”
In other team news ahead of Tuesday’s game against Utah: forwards Jason Zucker (illness) and Jiri Kulich (non-injury health issue) missed Monday’s practice and are doubtful for selection according to coach Ruff. The team may add another forward or opt for an additional defenseman if needed.
Isak Rosen was recently called up from Rochester after leading among AHL scorers with 12 points this season; he scored his first career NHL goal during Saturday’s game while playing on both even-strength lines and special teams units.
“There’s really an air of confidence,” Ruff said about Rosen’s development since previous stints with Buffalo. “He doesn’t seem like one of those nervous first-year kids you’re going to put in the lineup and you’re going to give a try. I think he’s had a couple opportunities and knew that he could have been better. I think he’s using this one, with the way he played in Rochester, to really take advantage.”
“We’re putting him in a pretty big spot, and so far, he’s responded. It was a big goal for us. He had another opportunity inside that game to score. I think he’s really skating well. I think he knows his strength is his skating and some of the finesse plays he can make, along with his shot, which I think he proved the other night can be a weapon for him.”
