Sabres Vs Devils Preview: How to Watch, Lineup Notes and Storylines
Sabres Vs Devils restarts the 25-game sprint to the playoffs Wednesday at Prudential Center, with puck drop set for 7: 00 p. m. ET. Buffalo returns after 19 days without a game and five long practices meant to shake off rust before this road opener.
Sabres Vs Devils: How to watch and stream
For fans in the Sabres broadcast market, pregame coverage begins at 6: 30 p. m. on MSG. Out-of-market viewers can stream on the Gotham Sports App or +. Puck drop is scheduled for 7: 00 p. m. at Prudential Center in Newark.
Lineup returns and what Buffalo practiced
Buffalo used the break for extensive preparation, revisiting the 3-1 road win over New Jersey from December in video sessions and on-ice work. Coach Lindy Ruff said the team “got back to the tendencies that we’ve been good at, ” and that focus showed up during the long practices.
Tage Thompson skated in the morning session and will center a line with Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who made 26 saves in that December win, is expected to return from a lower-body issue. Forwards Josh Norris (upper body) and Josh Dunne (middle body) are also expected to make returns from injury.
Ruff emphasized preparation drawn from the previous meeting: “We got back at some video and just showed some of our stuff from the last game playing New Jersey, some of the stuff we did well inside that game that allowed us to play a really good game. ” Forward Jason Zucker added that the team’s mindset is already playoff-focused as the sprint begins.
Devils slide, goaltending matchups and stakes
New Jersey’s Dec. 21 loss to Buffalo began a four-game skid and an 8-13-1 slide that has left the Devils 11 points out of a playoff spot. Goaltender Jake Allen has faced Buffalo twice this season, recording a 42-save shutout on Black Friday and a 22-save loss on Dec. 21. Jack Hughes is expected to be in New Jersey’s lineup.
Buffalo has stabilized since that midseason stretch: the team posted an 11-4-2 record after a 10-game streak ended and now occupies the first Eastern Conference wild card spot. The urgency is clear — the Sabres view each remaining game as part of a sprint toward a playoff berth and opened preparation intent on keeping their position intact.
The matchup also appears on paper as Game #58 of the season, with the Sabres listed at 32-19-6 and the Devils at 28-27-2 in the season records referenced during preview coverage.
Pregame routines and the return of key players are immediate variables for Buffalo, while New Jersey must halt its slide to keep pace in a crowded conference. The Sabres’ three-game road trip begins in Newark; after facing the Devils they head to Florida and Tampa Bay for back-to-back games on the trip.
