Game 7
Buffalo Sabers (3-4-1) vs. Detroit Red Wings (4-3-0)
Disc Drop: 1:00 PM EST | Little Caesars Arena | Detroit, Michigan
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know your opponent
Detroit Red Wings
Record: 4-3-0 | 8 points
Division Ranking: Fourth place in the Atlantic Division
Last game: 5-3 win over New Jersey Devils
PP: 22.8% (16th)
BK: 62.5% (31)
What to watch
1. Moving in the right direction?
The Sabers will be looking to earn their third straight win for the first time this season this afternoon – and on home ice, which is always a welcome event. They will also wear fan-favorite “Goathead” (red and black) jerseys for the first time this season.
Fans should be looking for a full 60 minutes of serious play, something they have struggled for over the years. If they come out with a physical presence when the opening puck is dropped and with an attacking mentality, they are fully capable of getting the win. The momentum is on Buffalo’s side following their 4-2 win over Dallas on Tuesday, so hopefully they can keep the scoring going as they have scored eight goals in their last two games.
2. They’re going to plan
Forwards Taj Thompson and Ryan McLeod have had a lot of success this season as they both have five straight points. Thompson has four goals and three assists, while McLeod has been impressive with four goals and one assist so far. Another honorable mention for the strong play is Alex Tuch, who shined offensively and defensively. The substitute captain has contributed three goals (one shorthanded) and six assists since the start of the season. He’s a +3 and is gradually becoming the powerful two-way striker the Sabers have needed for a long time.
In other news, what’s also interesting is the swords’ power play – and not in a good way. They have yet to score a goal with the man advantage in 2024-25, and it’s no surprise that they are 32nd in the league at 0-22. Will it finally happen today?
3. Practice makes perfect
One of the focuses of Buffalo’s training on Friday was the offensive pressure in front of the opposing team’s net. This will be especially important against Detroit goaltender Alex Leon, who so far this season has a save percentage of .955 and a GAA of 1.46. The Sabers will want to take advantage of rebounding opportunities as much as possible if they want to get past Lyon. This seems like an obvious strategy, but this team has not been consistent with its scoring in recent seasons, and it will be interesting to see if that can be implemented successfully under head coach Lindy Ruff.
Expected formations
Buffalo Sabres
forward
JJ Petrca – Taj Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jerry Kulich – Dylan Cousins - Jack Quinn
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jordan Greenway*
Beck Mallenstein – Peyton Cripps – Sam Lafferty/Nicholas Obi Koppel**
*Greenway may return to the lineup in place of Zach Benson, who was rested to recover from an injury sustained since Prague.
**Obi Kupil could be ready to play today, according to Ruff. He has not seen ice time since suffering a lower-body injury during the first game of the season. However, Ruff also said Aube-Kubel will likely take the extra practice and rest time this weekend and start Monday night against Florida instead.
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju
Bowen Byram – Owen Power
Matthias Samuelsson – Connor Clifton
Goalkeepers: Okka-Pekka Luukkonen (expected starter), Devon Levy
Detroit Red Wings
Attackers*
Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond
Vladimir Tarasenko – Marco Kasper – Patrick Kane
Michael Rasmussen – Andrew Cope – Christian Fischer
Joe Felino – Jonathan Berggren
*JT Compher is sick every day.
Defense
Simon Edvinsson – Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petrie
Olli Mata – Erik Gustafsson
Goalkeepers: Alex Lyon (confirmed start), Cam Talbot
