They’ve done so in recent weeks, primarily to condition the five-man defensive unit to handle late-game pressure. But these recent third-period outcomes have emphasized the need for offensive work at 6-on-5, as well. After practice, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff identified the areas needing improvement.

The Buffalo Sabres fourth goal on Thursday kept getting changed between Tage Thompson and Ryan McLeod. It was the next day when I could actually sit down and talk to McLeod about getting his first NHL hat trick.

Summoned from minors

With trade speculation swirling about Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, 20-year-old Jiri Kulich impressed coach Lindy Ruff on the first line.

Zucker’s net-front residence has yielded offense at both 5-on-5 and on a resurgent Buffalo power play. Since Dec. 21, with Zucker a regular on the top unit, the Sabres have gone 9-for-28 (32 percent) with the man advantage, seventh best in the NHL during that span.

Practicing Thursday at KeyBank Center, the Buffalo Sabres once again focused on late-game, 6-on-5 situations. In Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Carolina, Buffalo yielded a 6-on-5 goal to Martin Necas before Ryan McLeod’s awarded, empty-net goal secured the victory.

See the injury report for the Buffalo Sabres (18-25-5), which currently has three players listed (including Jason Zucker), as the Sabres ready for their matchup against the Edmonton Oilers

THROUGH GAMES OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2025

The Buffalo Sabres (18-24-5) are dealing with three players on the injury report, including Jason Zucker, ahead of a Thursday, January 23 game against the Calgary Flames (22-16-7) at Scotiabank

The Vancouver Canucks wrap up their three-game homestand with a battle against their expansion cousin Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. It was a big win on Hockey Night in Canada for the Canucks as the

The New Jersey Devils invested a lot to make sure their goaltending situation was stable in 2024-25. They acquired Jacob Markstrom fro the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster trade, but now New Jersey will be without its starting goaltender for several weeks.