The Buffalo Sabres are set to face the Colorado Avalanche, currently the top team in the NHL, at Ball Arena on Thursday. The Sabres enter this matchup after a 5-2 defeat in Utah, where they lost a 2-0 lead and conceded five unanswered goals.
Coach Lindy Ruff commented on the team’s defensive performance following the loss: “With the manpower we’re down, you build that lead, you’ve got to defend better,” Ruff said. “We didn’t defend well enough. We’re a better defending team than that.”
The Sabres have yet to secure a road win this season and now hold an 0-4-2 record away from KeyBank Center.
Thursday’s game will be broadcast locally on MSG, with pregame coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. Fans outside of the Buffalo market can stream the game on Gotham Sports App or ESPN+. Radio coverage is available via WGR 550 and the Buffalo Sabres App.
Buffalo continues to deal with injuries and absences. Zach Benson (lower body) did not travel with the team and remains sidelined along with Jiri Kulich (blood clot), Josh Norris (upper body), Justin Danforth (lower body), and Jason Zucker (illness). Captain Rasmus Dahlin is also away from the team due to personal reasons in Sweden.
Alex Lyon is expected to start in goal for Buffalo. The only lineup change from Wednesday’s game involves Tage Thompson and Ryan McLeod switching positions on the top line.
The Avalanche previously defeated Buffalo 3-1 earlier this season in Buffalo. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice in that contest and has continued his strong form, leading the league in goals (14) and points (32). He has recorded at least three points in each of his last three games.
Colorado’s top line of MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, and Martin Necas has been effective offensively, outscoring opponents 19-8 at even strength so far this season. Alongside offensive output from Cale Makar—who leads all NHL defensemen with 23 points—the Avalanche have also excelled defensively, allowing an average of just 9.62 high-danger chances per game, which ranks second-best in the league.
Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start in goal for Colorado; he holds an .875 save percentage over two appearances this season.
