Buffalo Sabres Eye Third Win Against Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City

KEARNS, Utah – The Buffalo Sabres are set to make their debut in Salt Lake City on Thursday night, taking on the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center. The Sabres, who recently snapped an eight-game winless streak away from home, enter the matchup with aspirations of securing their third consecutive victory following a tie against the Vegas Golden Knights and a win against the Boston Bruins.

After struggling on the road this season, with a record of 9-20-3 outside of KeyBank Center, the Sabres are focusing on refining their defensive strategies. “We’ve got to clean up our road play, and that will give us a good shot of making the playoffs every year,” said forward Peyton Krebs, who scored the first goal against the Bruins. “The teams that have the best road record seem to make the playoffs, so we’ve just got to continue to build off this, play the right way, and good things will happen.”

Despite a challenging month, with a recent 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Utah remains in contention for a playoff spot, just four points behind the Vancouver Canucks for the Western Conference wild card. The Hockey Club boasts a strong home record of 5-1-1 in its last seven games, making this matchup crucial for both teams.

The puck drops at 9 p.m. ET, and viewers in Buffalo can tune in on MSG, with pregame coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. For out-of-market fans, the game will be available on ESPN+, and local listeners can follow along on WGR 550.

The Sabres welcome back JJ Peterka, who missed the last three games due to a lower-body injury, while Zach Benson is expected to sit out due to illness. Brett Murray, who made his season debut in Boston, will fill in for Benson on the second power-play unit. Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich remain sidelined with their respective injuries, while James Reimer is anticipated to start in goal for Buffalo.

In their last game, Buffalo achieved a thrilling 3-2 win over Boston, courtesy of a last-minute tip-in from Alex Tuch. The Sabres capitalized on their power-play opportunities, going 4-for-9 in their last three games, showcasing a marked improvement in their special teams performance. Coach Lindy Ruff noted, “It was good to see us get rewarded,” highlighting their enhanced offensive execution.

As the Sabres prep for their first game at the Delta Center, Ruff emphasized the importance of familiarizing themselves with the rink’s ice quality and board dynamics, which are critical for effective gameplay. “We will morning skate tomorrow, just for the fact we haven’t been in the arena. Get 15 minutes in, get our touches and get everybody comfortable with being in the building,” he stated.

Utah’s Clayton Keller is set to be a key player to watch, leading the team with 75 points this season. The Hockey Club previously faced off against the Sabres in December, securing a 5-2 victory at KeyBank Center.

With both teams looking to secure vital points in the playoff race, anticipation is high for what promises to be an exhilarating match.