The Buffalo Sabres are set to face the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Saturday afternoon, aiming to secure a winning record on their current five-game road trip. The Sabres currently hold a 2-1-0 record on this stretch after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in an Atlantic Division matchup on Thursday.
Saturday’s game carries significance for both teams as they compete in tightly contested playoff races. The Islanders occupy third place in the Metropolitan Division with 59 points and remain contenders for a wild card spot as the season progresses. “It just seems like every game ends up being a tight game,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “They’re playing good hockey. This whole east is playing good hockey.”
Buffalo enters the day just two points behind Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division, while Montreal faces Boston later that night.
Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m., with television coverage available on MSG in the Sabres’ broadcast market beginning at 12:30 p.m. Fans outside the local area can stream the game via Gotham Sports App or ESPN+, and radio coverage will be provided by WGR 550 and the Buffalo Sabres App.
On the injury front, defenseman Jacob Bryson has returned to Buffalo for further evaluation of an upper-body injury sustained during Thursday’s win over Montreal. Zach Metsa will take his place in Saturday’s lineup. Rasmus Dahlin, who was hurt blocking a shot late against Montreal, did not practice Friday but remains in the lineup.
Goaltender Alex Lyon will start for Buffalo as he looks to extend his personal eight-game winning streak—one shy of matching Gerry Desjardins’ franchise record set in 1976. Lyon’s recent performances include a 32-save effort (plus four saves in a shootout) during a December victory over the Islanders.
In that previous meeting, Lyon’s saves—including one against Mathew Barzal in overtime—were key to Buffalo’s 3-2 shootout win. Rasmus Dahlin also scored an end-to-end power play goal during that contest.
The Islanders were without leading scorer Bo Horvat during their last matchup with Buffalo; Horvat has missed nine games this month due to injury but is expected to return against the Sabres. Alongside Barzal, Horvat leads one of the NHL’s most productive rush offenses—the Islanders are tied for sixth league-wide with 45 rush goals this season, according to Stathletes. The Sabres rank third with 47 rush goals, while their next opponent, Toronto Maple Leafs, lead with 50.
During Horvat’s absence, Anthony Duclair has contributed eight goals over his last eight games for New York. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin continues his steady play and leads all NHL goaltenders with five shutouts this season, including two recorded in January.
