The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 9-3 at KeyBank Center on Friday, marking their highest-scoring game since December 2023. Fourteen Sabres players registered points in the win, which ties Colorado for the most goals scored by a team in a single game this NHL season.
Following a disappointing loss to the Calgary Flames earlier in the week, Buffalo responded with what players and coaches described as a full-team effort. “We weren’t happy with our game (versus Calgary), it’s pretty obvious,” said Tage Thompson. “I thought we had a great response. We just outworked them, honestly. They’re coming in off a back to back; we made it a tough game for them all night. I thought we won puck battles, strong on pucks, and we got to the net.
“Great effort all around, and that’s what it takes: it takes everyone pulling the rope the same way.”
Buffalo set an early tone by scoring three goals within four minutes during the first period from Josh Doan, Jason Zucker, and Bowen Byram. The team outshot Chicago 14-6 in that period and maintained pressure throughout the game.
“They’re in a spot last night where they lost a close one, and I think when you get an early one or two on them in a situation like this, it’s hard as a group (for them) to stay positive,” Doan said. “At the other end of it, we were a team that was a little bit frustrated with how we performed. I think you just catch the tail ends of both of those things, and sometimes stuff like that adds up.”
Coach Lindy Ruff noted his team’s ability to capitalize on Chicago’s fatigue: “You could tell that they were a step behind,” Ruff said. “And a good team can sense that and keep the foot on the gas. And we did it the right way; we did it with everybody on board.”
The Sabres answered each of Chicago’s goals quickly—within minutes—limiting any chance for momentum shifts. Only two skaters exceeded 20 minutes of ice time while nine players recorded multiple points.
“(A) focal point for us was to make sure we didn’t change our game once we got the lead, and I think you saw a full 60 for the first time in a while out of us,” Doan added.
Despite Friday’s result and winning three of their last four games, Buffalo remains at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings but aims to build consistency moving forward.
“Game was great, it was a good win, but now it’s all about getting this team back to .500, winning a game against probably one of the toughest teams to play against,” Ruff said.
On Buffalo’s top line, Thompson and Alex Tuch combined with Doan for eight points against Chicago while controlling possession throughout their shifts. Tuch registered four assists—the same number he had over his previous eight games combined.
“I felt like more myself; I felt like I had some good jump,” Tuch said. “My work with the puck was a little bit better. I think I was holding onto it and hanging onto pucks and ragging it a little bit, which I think helps my game and I think creates a lot of space for my linemates too.”
Jason Zucker returned after missing eight games due to illness and contributed one goal and two assists alongside Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn.
“He’s got some experience and a good, calming presence in the locker room, and then obviously he backs it up with his play on the ice,” Thompson said. “So definitely missed him, and I think everyone’s excited that he’s back, and obviously makes an impact right away.”
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 20 saves in his first start in over two weeks including stopping Connor Bedard on a breakaway at an important moment when Chicago threatened to narrow Buffalo’s lead further.
“That was a big moment in the game,” Ruff commented.
Notable performances included Thompson extending his goal streak to five games—a career high—and Samuelsson setting his own career mark with five goals this season among defensemen league-wide.
The Sabres conclude their homestand Sunday afternoon against Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center; tickets remain available online via https://t.co/uopCGTMD9O.
