Buffalo Sabres Prepare for Detroit with Key Player Updates

Buffalo, New York – The Buffalo Sabres are gearing up for their second preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday evening. Following two successful victories over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Sabres are eager to maintain their strong defensive play at Little Caesars Arena.

In their first two preseason games, the team allowed just one goal, with goaltenders Alexandar Georgiev, Alex Lyon, and Devon Levi collectively making 40 saves on 41 shots. Forward Zach Benson praised the team’s defensive effort, stating, “I thought, defensively, we were menaces,” after Tuesday’s tight 2-1 win.

The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. The Buffalo Sabres will stream the game on their website, Sabres.com, and it will also be broadcast on WGR 550 radio.

During the morning skate, coach Lindy Ruff revealed that Georgiev, who impressively shut out Columbus for 40 minutes earlier this week, will play all three periods in Detroit. In addition, forward Jiri Kulich will miss the game due to a mild muscle tweak.

Konsta Helenius, the Sabres’ first-round pick from the 2024 draft, will make history by being the only player to participate in all three of the team’s preseason matches. Helenius showcased an outstanding performance in Columbus, scoring a highlight-reel goal and helping set up the winning goal on Tuesday.

“I thought his game was probably one of the best I’ve seen,” Ruff said of Helenius. “His stick work was excellent.” Veteran Jason Zucker echoed the sentiment, confident in Helenius’s potential: “I think he’s going to be a really good player in this league for a long time.”

The Sabres’ lineup also includes familiar faces such as Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, who are set to play at home against Columbus on Tuesday night, further bolstering the team’s chances as they refine their game before the regular season begins.

With training camp in full swing, the Sabres are focused on cultivating a tough, defensively solid identity ahead of the 2025-26 regular season.