Sabres vs. Golden Knights: Game #68 Preview & Discussion Thread
The Buffalo Sabres travel to Las Vegas to face the Golden Knights tonight. Puck drop is set for 10:00 pm ET at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Game details and broadcast
Buffalo enters with a 41-20-6 record. Vegas is 31-22-14 with 76 points.
Watch on MSG-B and ESPN+. Radio coverage is on WGR 550 and Sirius XM.
Recent form and standings
The Golden Knights beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 in their last outing. They are 4-6-0 over their last ten games.
Vegas sits second in the Pacific Division. Their power play ranks third at 25.5% (48/188).
Special teams contrast
Vegas has the league’s third-best power play and a top-six penalty kill. Their overall PK sits at 82.3% (135/164).
Buffalo’s power play is 16th at 20.7% (42/203). The Sabres’ penalty kill is strong at 82.9% (150/181), good for fourth.
Notably, Vegas’ home PK is weaker, ranked 14th at 80.8%.
Roster notes and matchups
Buffalo rotated defenders this week after the trade deadline additions. Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn received time on the third pairing.
The third pair struggled to match Buffalo’s usual pace. Coach Lindy Ruff still appears to be evaluating options.
- Sam Carrick has made an immediate impact and looks secure on the roster.
- Tanner Pearson’s role remains uncertain.
- Alex Tuch missed the morning skate sick and his status is unknown.
Vegas threats
Jack Eichel draws attention when he faces the Sabres. Pavel Dorofeyev has been hot recently.
Dorofeyev has eight points in his last five games. He has 57 points in 67 games this season.
Mitch Marner ranks second in team scoring behind Eichel.
Projected lineups
| Buffalo Forwards | Zach Benson – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch |
| Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jack Quinn | |
| Noah Ostlund – Josh Norris – Josh Doan | |
| Peyton Krebs – Sam Carrick – Beck Malenstyn | |
| Buffalo Defense | Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin |
| Bowen Byram – Owen Power | |
| Zach Metsa – Logan Stanley | |
| Buffalo Goalies | Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected starter) |
| Vegas Forwards | Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Mark Stone |
| Pavel Dorofeyev – Tomas Hertl – Mitch Marner | |
| Brett Howden – Colton Sissons – Braeden Bowman | |
| Cole Smith – Nic Dowd – Keegan Kolesar | |
| Vegas Defense | Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore |
| Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson | |
| Jeremy Lauzon – Kaedan Korczak | |
| Vegas Goalies | Adin Hill (confirmed starter), Akira Schmid |
What to watch
Expect battles along the boards and fierce transition play. Special teams could swing the result.
Buffalo must limit penalties against a top power play unit. Vegas will try to exploit any time on the man advantage.
For further discussion, Filmogaz.com will host the Sabres vs. Golden Knights Game #68 Preview & Discussion Thread. Fans can follow updates and lineup confirmations there.
