The Buffalo Sabres will face the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center on Monday afternoon, aiming to secure their first win of the season after dropping their opening two games. The Sabres have started the campaign with losses against the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, with injuries to key players such as forward Josh Norris contributing to a challenging start.
Head coach Lindy Ruff expressed dissatisfaction following the team’s 3-1 defeat in Boston. “We have to just raise our level of compete,” Ruff said. “I thought our compete was terrible. Worst competing, skating, moving feet that I’ve seen.”
Buffalo’s schedule presents an opportunity for improvement, as five of their next six games will be played at home, including four matchups against division rivals. Before those divisional contests, the Sabres will host the Avalanche, who have opened their season with a 2-0-1 record.
“The urgency has got to be there,” Sabres forward Jason Zucker said.
In preparation for Monday’s game, Ruff adjusted the forward lines during Saturday’s contest in Boston. Josh Doan was moved alongside Jiri Kulich and Tage Thompson. “He worked hard,” Ruff said of Doan. “Moved him up. The guys I thought were going, I tried to get them in a better position to help us out. I think some of those changes helped.”
The Avalanche arrive in Buffalo following two wins and a shootout loss to Dallas. Their top line of Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas has been effective early in the season; both players have registered points in each of Colorado’s three games so far. Necas leads his team with three goals.
Fans can watch Monday’s game on MSG within the Buffalo broadcast market or stream it through the Gotham Sports App and ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers. Radio coverage is available on WGR 550.
