2025–26 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2025–26 Buffalo Sabres season is the 56th season of play for the Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). It is their second season since head coach Lindy Ruff returned to the team. The Sabres improved on their 36–39–7 record from the previous season after a 5-1 road win on March 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, they will attempt to end 14 consecutive seasons without making the Stanley Cup playoffs, the longest in the NHL and tied for the longest in professional North American sports with the NFL's New York Jets.

Source: Wikipedia

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2025–26 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2025–26 Buffalo Sabres season is the 56th season of play for the Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). It is their second season since head coach Lindy Ruff returned to the team. The Sabres improved on their 36–39–7 record from the previous season after a 5-1 road win on March 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, they will attempt to end 14 consecutive seasons without making the Stanley Cup playoffs, the longest in the NHL and tied for the longest in professional North American sports with the NFL's New York Jets.

On December 15, 2025, after an 14–14–4 start to the season, the Sabres fired general manager Kevyn Adams after more than five seasons and replaced him with Jarmo Kekalainen. The Sabres would embark on a string of sustained success following the firing, with separate win streaks of 10 and 8 games within a 32–6–2 run, the best 40-game run by any team since 1996 and tied for the fourth best in NHL history. The hot streak helped Buffalo clinch just its second winning season since the beginning of the drought and going from last place in the Atlantic Division in December to first place by March. Following a win over the New York Islanders on March 31, the Sabres reached 100 points for the first time since the 2009–10 season.

Standings

Divisional standings

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Team</th><th>GP</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>OTL</th><th>RW</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Buffalo Sabres</td><td>75</td><td>46</td><td>21</td><td>8</td><td>38</td><td>263</td><td>221</td><td>+42</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Tampa Bay Lightning</td><td>74</td><td>46</td><td>22</td><td>6</td><td>37</td><td>267</td><td>203</td><td>+64</td><td>98</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>74</td><td>43</td><td>21</td><td>10</td><td>31</td><td>262</td><td>234</td><td>+28</td><td>96</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Boston Bruins</td><td>75</td><td>43</td><td>24</td><td>8</td><td>31</td><td>256</td><td>233</td><td>+23</td><td>94</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Ottawa Senators</td><td>74</td><td>38</td><td>26</td><td>10</td><td>32</td><td>247</td><td>230</td><td>+17</td><td>86</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>74</td><td>39</td><td>27</td><td>8</td><td>28</td><td>216</td><td>223</td><td>−7</td><td>86</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Toronto Maple Leafs</td><td>75</td><td>32</td><td>30</td><td>13</td><td>23</td><td>235</td><td>264</td><td>−29</td><td>77</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Florida Panthers</td><td>74</td><td>36</td><td>35</td><td>3</td><td>28</td><td>222</td><td>247</td><td>−25</td><td>75</td></tr></tbody></table>

Conference standings

<table><thead><tr><th>Pos</th><th>Div</th><th>Team</th><th>GP</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>OTL</th><th>RW</th><th>GF</th><th>GA</th><th>GD</th><th>Pts</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>AT</td><td>Boston Bruins</td><td>75</td><td>43</td><td>24</td><td>8</td><td>31</td><td>256</td><td>233</td><td>+23</td><td>94</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>ME</td><td>Columbus Blue Jackets</td><td>75</td><td>38</td><td>25</td><td>12</td><td>27</td><td>239</td><td>231</td><td>+8</td><td>88</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>AT</td><td>Ottawa Senators</td><td>74</td><td>38</td><td>26</td><td>10</td><td>32</td><td>247</td><td>230</td><td>+17</td><td>86</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>AT</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>74</td><td>39</td><td>27</td><td>8</td><td>28</td><td>216</td><td>223</td><td>−7</td><td>86</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>ME</td><td>Philadelphia Flyers</td><td>74</td><td>37</td><td>25</td><td>12</td><td>23</td><td>220</td><td>225</td><td>−5</td><td>86</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>ME</td><td>Washington Capitals</td><td>75</td><td>38</td><td>28</td><td>9</td><td>32</td><td>238</td><td>223</td><td>+15</td><td>85</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>ME</td><td>New Jersey Devils</td><td>74</td><td>38</td><td>34</td><td>2</td><td>26</td><td>205</td><td>227</td><td>−22</td><td>78</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>AT</td><td>Toronto Maple Leafs</td><td>75</td><td>32</td><td>30</td><td>13</td><td>23</td><td>235</td><td>264</td><td>−29</td><td>77</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>AT</td><td>Florida Panthers</td><td>74</td><td>36</td><td>35</td><td>3</td><td>28</td><td>222</td><td>247</td><td>−25</td><td>75</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>ME</td><td>e – New York Rangers</td><td>75</td><td>31</td><td>35</td><td>9</td><td>22</td><td>215</td><td>233</td><td>−18</td><td>71</td></tr></tbody></table>

Schedule and results

Preseason

The preseason schedule was published on June 24, 2025.

<table><thead><tr><th>2025 preseason game log: 3–2–1 (Home: 2–1–0; Road: 1–1–1)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>September 22</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–0</td><td>Columbus</td><td></td><td>Georgiev</td><td>9,778</td><td>1–0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>September 23</td><td>Columbus</td><td>1–2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Levi</td><td>9,903</td><td>2–0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>September 25</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–5</td><td>Detroit</td><td></td><td>Georgiev</td><td>16,347</td><td>2–1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>September 27</td><td>Detroit</td><td>2–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon</td><td>11,872</td><td>3–1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>October 1</td><td>Pittsburgh</td><td>5–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Georgiev</td><td>11,591</td><td>3–2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>October 3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–5</td><td>Pittsburgh</td><td>OT</td><td>Georgiev</td><td>11,528</td><td>3–3</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Regular season

The regular season schedule was published on July 16, 2025.

<table><thead><tr><th>2025–26 game log</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>October: 4–4–3: 11 points (Home: 4–2–1; Road: 0–2–2)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>October 9</td><td>NY Rangers</td><td>4–0</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (0–1–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>0–1–0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>October 11</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>1–3</td><td>Boston</td><td></td><td>Lyon (0–2–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,850</td><td>0–2–0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>October 13</td><td>Colorado</td><td>3–1</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (0–3–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,462</td><td>0–3–0</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>October 15</td><td>Ottawa</td><td>4–8</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (1–3–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>13,993</td><td>1–3–0</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>October 18</td><td>Florida</td><td>0–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (2–3–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,015</td><td>2–3–0</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>October 20</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–4</td><td>Montreal</td><td></td><td>Lyon (2–4–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>20,962</td><td>2–4–0</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>October 22</td><td>Detroit</td><td>2–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Ellis (1–0–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>15,104</td><td>3–4–0</td><td>6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>October 24</td><td>Toronto</td><td>3–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (3–4–0)</td><td>Alt</td><td>17,211</td><td>4–4–0</td><td>8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>October 25</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–4</td><td>Toronto</td><td>OT</td><td>Luukkonen (0–0–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,792</td><td>4–4–1</td><td>9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>October 28</td><td>Columbus</td><td>4–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>OT</td><td>Lyon (3–4–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>15,059</td><td>4–4–2</td><td>10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>October 30</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–4</td><td>Boston</td><td>OT</td><td>Lyon (3–4–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,850</td><td>4–4–3</td><td>11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>November: 6–7–1: 13 points (Home: 4–3–1; Road: 2–4–0)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>November 1</td><td>Washington</td><td>3–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>SO</td><td>Luukkonen (1–0–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>5–4–3</td><td>13</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>November 4</td><td>Utah</td><td>2–1</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>OT</td><td>Lyon (3–4–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,202</td><td>5–4–4</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>November 6</td><td>St. Louis</td><td>3–0</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (1–1–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,020</td><td>5–5–4</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>November 8</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–6</td><td>Carolina</td><td></td><td>Lyon (3–5–3)</td><td>Alt</td><td>18,299</td><td>5–6–4</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>November 12</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–5</td><td>Utah</td><td></td><td>Ellis (1–1–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>12,478</td><td>5–7–4</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>November 13</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–6</td><td>Colorado</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (1–2–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,101</td><td>5–8–4</td><td>14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>November 15</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–4</td><td>Detroit</td><td>OT</td><td>Ellis (2–1–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,515</td><td>6–8–4</td><td>16</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>November 17</td><td>Edmonton</td><td>1–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Ellis (3–1–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,394</td><td>7–8–4</td><td>18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>November 19</td><td>Calgary</td><td>6–2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Ellis (3–2–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>15,213</td><td>7–9–4</td><td>18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>November 21</td><td>Chicago</td><td>3–9</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (2–2–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,058</td><td>8–9–4</td><td>20</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>November 23</td><td>Carolina</td><td>1–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (3–2–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,027</td><td>9–9–4</td><td>22</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>November 26</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–4</td><td>Pittsburgh</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (3–3–1)</td><td>Alt</td><td>17,543</td><td>9–10–4</td><td>22</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>November 28</td><td>New Jersey</td><td>5–0</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (3–6–3)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>9–11–4</td><td>22</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>November 29</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–2</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>SO</td><td>Ellis (4–2–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,233</td><td>10–11–4</td><td>24</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>December: 11–3–0: 22 points (Home: 4–0–0; Road: 7–3–0)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>December 1</td><td>Winnipeg</td><td>1–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (4–3–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>15,758</td><td>11–11–4</td><td>26</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>December 3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–5</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td></td><td>Ellis (4–3–0)</td><td>Alt</td><td>17,116</td><td>11–12–4</td><td>26</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>December 5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>1–4</td><td>Winnipeg</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (4–4–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>13,682</td><td>11–13–4</td><td>26</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>December 8</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–7</td><td>Calgary</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (4–5–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,278</td><td>11–14–4</td><td>26</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>December 9</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–3</td><td>Edmonton</td><td>OT</td><td>Lyon (4–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,622</td><td>12–14–4</td><td>28</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>31</td><td>December 11</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–2</td><td>Vancouver</td><td></td><td>Lyon (5–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,606</td><td>13–14–4</td><td>30</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>32</td><td>December 14</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–1</td><td>Seattle</td><td></td><td>Lyon (6–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,151</td><td>14–14–4</td><td>32</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>33</td><td>December 18</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>3–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (7–6–3)</td><td>Alt</td><td>16,055</td><td>15–14–4</td><td>34</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>34</td><td>December 20</td><td>NY Islanders</td><td>2–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>SO</td><td>Lyon (8–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>16–14–4</td><td>36</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>December 21</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–1</td><td>New Jersey</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (5–5–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,886</td><td>17–14–4</td><td>38</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>36</td><td>December 23</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–2</td><td>Ottawa</td><td>OT</td><td>Lyon (9–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,753</td><td>18–14–4</td><td>40</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>37</td><td>December 27</td><td>Boston</td><td>1–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (6–5–1)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>19–14–4</td><td>42</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>38</td><td>December 29</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–2</td><td>St. Louis</td><td></td><td>Lyon (10–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,096</td><td>20–14–4</td><td>44</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>39</td><td>December 31</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–1</td><td>Dallas</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (7–5–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,532</td><td>21–14–4</td><td>46</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>January: 10–4–1: 21 points (Home: 5–2–1; Road: 5–2–0)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>40</td><td>January 3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>1–5</td><td>Columbus</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (7–6–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,809</td><td>21–15–4</td><td>46</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>41</td><td>January 6</td><td>Vancouver</td><td>3–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (8–6–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,036</td><td>22–15–4</td><td>48</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>42</td><td>January 8</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–2</td><td>NY Rangers</td><td></td><td>Ellis (5–3–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,006</td><td>23–15–4</td><td>50</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>43</td><td>January 10</td><td>Anaheim</td><td>3–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (9–6–1)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>24–15–4</td><td>52</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>44</td><td>January 12</td><td>Florida</td><td>4–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Ellis (5–4–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,343</td><td>24–16–4</td><td>52</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>January 14</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>2–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (10–6–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,363</td><td>25–16–4</td><td>54</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>46</td><td>January 15</td><td>Montreal</td><td>3–5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Ellis (6–4–0)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>26–16–4</td><td>56</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>47</td><td>January 17</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>5–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>OT</td><td>Luukkonen (10–6–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>26–16–5</td><td>57</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>48</td><td>January 19</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>1–2</td><td>Carolina</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (10–7–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,321</td><td>26–17–5</td><td>57</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>49</td><td>January 20</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–3</td><td>Nashville</td><td></td><td>Lyon (11–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,159</td><td>27–17–5</td><td>59</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>50</td><td>January 22</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–2</td><td>Montreal</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (11–7–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>20,962</td><td>28–17–5</td><td>61</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>51</td><td>January 24</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–0</td><td>NY Islanders</td><td></td><td>Lyon (12–6–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,255</td><td>29–17–5</td><td>63</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>52</td><td>January 27</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>7–4</td><td>Toronto</td><td></td><td>Ellis (7–4–0)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,996</td><td>30–17–5</td><td>65</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>53</td><td>January 29</td><td>Los Angeles</td><td>1–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (13–6–3)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>31–17–5</td><td>67</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>54</td><td>January 31</td><td>Montreal</td><td>4–2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (13–7–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>31–18–5</td><td>67</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>February: 4–1–1: 9 points (Home: 0–1–0; Road: 4–0–1)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>55</td><td>February 2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–3</td><td>Florida</td><td></td><td>Lyon (14–7–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,474</td><td>32–18–5</td><td>69</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>56</td><td>February 3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–4</td><td>Tampa Bay</td><td>OT</td><td>Ellis (7–4–1)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,092</td><td>32–18–6</td><td>70</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>57</td><td>February 5</td><td>Pittsburgh</td><td>5–2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (14–8–3)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>32–19–6</td><td>70</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>58</td><td>February 25</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–1</td><td>New Jersey</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (12–7–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,514</td><td>33–19–6</td><td>72</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>59</td><td>February 27</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>3–2</td><td>Florida</td><td></td><td>Lyon (15–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,783</td><td>34–19–6</td><td>74</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>60</td><td>February 28</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>6–2</td><td>Tampa Bay</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (13–7–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,092</td><td>35–19–6</td><td>76</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>March: 11–2–2: 24 points (Home: 7–2–1; Road: 4–0–1)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>61</td><td>March 3</td><td>Vegas</td><td>2–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (16–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>36–19–6</td><td>78</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>62</td><td>March 5</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–1</td><td>Pittsburgh</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (14–7–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,572</td><td>37–19–6</td><td>80</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>63</td><td>March 7</td><td>Nashville</td><td>2–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (17–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>38–19–6</td><td>82</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>64</td><td>March 8</td><td>Tampa Bay</td><td>7–8</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (15–7–2)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>39–19–6</td><td>84</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>65</td><td>March 10</td><td>San Jose</td><td>3–6</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (18–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>40–19–6</td><td>86</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>66</td><td>March 12</td><td>Washington</td><td>2–1</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (15–8–2)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>40–20–6</td><td>86</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>67</td><td>March 14</td><td>Toronto</td><td>2–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>SO</td><td>Lyon (19–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>41–20–6</td><td>88</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>68</td><td>March 17</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>2–0</td><td>Vegas</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (16–8–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,844</td><td>42–20–6</td><td>90</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>69</td><td>March 19</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–0</td><td>San Jose</td><td></td><td>Lyon (20–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>17,435</td><td>43–20–6</td><td>92</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>70</td><td>March 21</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>4–1</td><td>Los Angeles</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (17–8–2)</td><td>Main</td><td>18,145</td><td>44–20–6</td><td>94</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>71</td><td>March 22</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>5–6</td><td>Anaheim</td><td>OT</td><td>Lyon (20–8–4)</td><td>Main</td><td>16,817</td><td>44–20–7</td><td>95</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>72</td><td>March 25</td><td>Boston</td><td>4–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>OT</td><td>Luukkonen (17–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>44–20–8</td><td>96</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>73</td><td>March 27</td><td>Detroit</td><td>5–2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Lyon (20–9–4)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>44–21–8</td><td>96</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>74</td><td>March 28</td><td>Seattle</td><td>2–3</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>SO</td><td>Luukkonen (18–8–3)</td><td>Alt</td><td>19,070</td><td>45–21–8</td><td>98</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>75</td><td>March 31</td><td>NY Islanders</td><td>3–4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td>Luukkonen (19–8–3)</td><td>Main</td><td>19,070</td><td>46–21–8</td><td>100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>April: 0–0–0 (Home: 0–0–0; Road: 0–0–0)</td></tr><tr><td>#</td><td>Date</td><td>Visitor</td><td>Score</td><td>Home</td><td>OT</td><td>Decision</td><td>Team Logo</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Record</td><td>Pts</td><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>76</td><td>April 2</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>–</td><td>Ottawa</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>77</td><td>April 4</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>–</td><td>Washington</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>78</td><td>April 6</td><td>Tampa Bay</td><td>–</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>79</td><td>April 8</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>–</td><td>NY Rangers</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>April 9</td><td>Columbus</td><td>–</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>81</td><td>April 13</td><td>Buffalo</td><td>–</td><td>Chicago</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>82</td><td>April 15</td><td>Dallas</td><td>–</td><td>Buffalo</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Player statistics

Skaters

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>GP</th><th>G</th><th>A</th><th>Pts</th><th>+/−</th><th>PIM</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Tage Thompson</td><td>75</td><td>38</td><td>40</td><td>78</td><td>−6</td><td>33</td></tr><tr><td>Rasmus Dahlin</td><td>71</td><td>17</td><td>50</td><td>67</td><td>+11</td><td>74</td></tr><tr><td>Alex Tuch</td><td>72</td><td>29</td><td>31</td><td>60</td><td>+20</td><td>53</td></tr><tr><td>Ryan McLeod</td><td>75</td><td>12</td><td>38</td><td>50</td><td>+23</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Jack Quinn</td><td>75</td><td>18</td><td>31</td><td>49</td><td>+4</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Josh Doan</td><td>75</td><td>23</td><td>24</td><td>47</td><td>−7</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Mattias Samuelsson</td><td>72</td><td>12</td><td>28</td><td>40</td><td>+32</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>Jason Zucker</td><td>56</td><td>22</td><td>17</td><td>39</td><td>−7</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>Bowen Byram</td><td>75</td><td>11</td><td>27</td><td>38</td><td>+13</td><td>48</td></tr><tr><td>Peyton Krebs</td><td>75</td><td>11</td><td>25</td><td>36</td><td>+8</td><td>76</td></tr><tr><td>Zach Benson</td><td>58</td><td>10</td><td>26</td><td>36</td><td>+23</td><td>24</td></tr><tr><td>Noah Ostlund</td><td>60</td><td>11</td><td>16</td><td>27</td><td>+11</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>Josh Norris</td><td>37</td><td>10</td><td>17</td><td>27</td><td>+5</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Owen Power</td><td>74</td><td>8</td><td>18</td><td>26</td><td>+4</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td>Beck Malenstyn</td><td>74</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>13</td><td>+1</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>Isak Rosen‡</td><td>16</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>−3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Conor Timmins</td><td>36</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>7</td><td>−10</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Sam Carrick†</td><td>13</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>+4</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Zach Metsa</td><td>39</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>+21</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Jiri Kulich</td><td>12</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>−4</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Jacob Bryson‡</td><td>35</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>−1</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>Jordan Greenway</td><td>34</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>−9</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Tyson Kozak</td><td>41</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>−3</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Josh Dunne</td><td>31</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>−5</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>Konsta Helenius</td><td>9</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>+1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Logan Stanley†</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>+5</td><td>22</td></tr><tr><td>Michael Kesselring</td><td>32</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>−3</td><td>50</td></tr><tr><td>Tanner Pearson†</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>+2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Luke Schenn†</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>−2</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Mason Geertsen</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>−1</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Justin Danforth</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>−2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Ryan Johnson</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Trevor Kuntar</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>−1</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>

Goaltenders

<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>GP</th><th>GS</th><th>TOI</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>OT</th><th>GA</th><th>GAA</th><th>SA</th><th>SV%</th><th>SO</th><th>G</th><th>A</th><th>PIM</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Alex Lyon</td><td>35</td><td>33</td><td>1,986:09</td><td>20</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>89</td><td>2.69</td><td>974</td><td>.910</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen</td><td>31</td><td>30</td><td>1,789:04</td><td>19</td><td>8</td><td>3</td><td>77</td><td>2.58</td><td>847</td><td>.910</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Colten Ellis</td><td>13</td><td>12</td><td>732:12</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>38</td><td>3.11</td><td>367</td><td>.896</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr></tbody></table>

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Sabres. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only. ‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only. Bold/italics denotes franchise record.

Transactions

2025–26 Buffalo Sabres season

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2025–26 season.

 †  Contract is entry-level.  ‡  Contract initially takes effect in the 2026–27 season.

Trades

<table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Details</th><th>Ref</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>June 28, 2025 (2025-06-28)</td><td>To Pittsburgh PenguinsConnor Clifton 2nd-round pick in 2025</td><td>To Buffalo SabresIsaac Belliveau Conor Timmins</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01)</td><td>To Chicago BlackhawksSam Lafferty</td><td>To Buffalo Sabres6th-round pick in 2026</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>January 24, 2026 (2026-01-24)</td><td>To Carolina HurricanesViktor Neuchev</td><td>To Buffalo SabresGavin Bayreuther</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05)</td><td>To Winnipeg JetsJacob Bryson Isak Rosen conditional BUF or EDM 4th-round pick in 20261 2nd-round pick in 2027</td><td>To Buffalo SabresLuke Schenn Logan Stanley</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)</td><td>To New York Rangers3rd-round pick in 2026 CHI 6th-round pick in 2026</td><td>To Buffalo SabresSam Carrick</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)</td><td>To Winnipeg Jets7th-round pick in 2026</td><td>To Buffalo SabresTanner Pearson</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

• Winnipeg will receive the higher of Buffalo's or Edmonton's 4th-round pick. Winnipeg also retains 50% of Schenn's contract

Players acquired

<table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Player</th><th>Former team</th><th>Term</th><th>Via</th><th>Ref</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01)</td><td>Justin Danforth</td><td>Columbus Blue Jackets</td><td>2-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mason Geertsen</td><td>Vegas Golden Knights</td><td>2-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alex Lyon</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>2-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 2, 2025 (2025-07-02)</td><td>Riley Fiddler-Schultz</td><td>Rochester Americans</td><td>2-year‡</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zac Jones</td><td>New York Rangers</td><td>1-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zach Metsa</td><td>Rochester Americans</td><td>2-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Carson Meyer</td><td>2-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 16, 2025 (2025-07-16)</td><td>Jake Leschyshyn</td><td>New York Rangers</td><td>1-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>September 11, 2025 (2025-09-11)</td><td>Alexandar Georgiev</td><td>San Jose Sharks</td><td>1-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>October 6, 2025 (2025-10-06)</td><td>Colten Ellis</td><td>St. Louis Blues</td><td></td><td>Waivers</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Players lost

<table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Player</th><th>New team</th><th>Term</th><th>Via</th><th>Ref</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01)</td><td>Jacob Bernard-Docker</td><td>Detroit Red Wings</td><td>1-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kale Clague</td><td>Winnipeg Jets</td><td>1-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 24, 2025 (2025-07-24)</td><td>Aleksandr Kisakov</td><td>HC Dynamo Moscow (KHL)</td><td></td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>September 24, 2025 (2025-09-24)</td><td>Felix Sandstrom</td><td>Oulun Kärpät (Liiga)</td><td></td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>November 24, 2025 (2025-11-24)</td><td>Alexandar Georgiev</td><td></td><td>Contract termination</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>January 12, 2026 (2026-01-12)</td><td>James Reimer</td><td>Ottawa Senators</td><td>1-year</td><td>Free agency</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Signings

<table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Player</th><th>Term</th><th>Ref</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>June 27, 2025 (2025-06-27)</td><td>Jack Quinn</td><td>2-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 1, 2025 (2025-07-01)</td><td>Ryan Johnson</td><td>3-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tyson Kozak</td><td>3-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ryan McLeod</td><td>4-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jack Rathbone</td><td>2-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 14, 2025 (2025-07-14)</td><td>Bowen Byram</td><td>2-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 15, 2025 (2025-07-15)</td><td>Radim Mrtka</td><td>3-year†</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 27, 2025 (2025-07-27)</td><td>Conor Timmins</td><td>2-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>July 31, 2025 (2025-07-31)</td><td>Devon Levi</td><td>2-year</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>January 21, 2026 (2026-01-21)</td><td>Josh Doan</td><td>7-year</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Draft picks

2025–26 Buffalo Sabres season

Below are the Buffalo Sabres' selections at the 2025 NHL entry draft, which was held on June 27 and 28, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

<table><thead><tr><th>Round</th><th>#</th><th>Player</th><th>Pos</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Team (league)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>9</td><td>Radim Mrtka</td><td>D</td><td> Czechia</td><td>Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>71</td><td>David Bedkowski</td><td>D</td><td> Canada</td><td>Owen Sound Attack (OHL)</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>103</td><td>Matous Kurcharcik</td><td>C</td><td> Czechia</td><td>HC Slavia Praha U20 (Czechia U20)</td></tr><tr><td>116</td><td>Samuel Meloche</td><td>G</td><td> Canada</td><td>Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>135</td><td>Noah Laberge</td><td>D</td><td> Canada</td><td>Acadie–Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>167</td><td>Ashton Schultz</td><td>C</td><td> United States</td><td>Chicago Steel (USHL)</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>195</td><td>Melvin Novotny</td><td>LW</td><td> Sweden</td><td>Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)</td></tr><tr><td>199</td><td>Yevgeni Prokhorov</td><td>G</td><td> Belarus</td><td>Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)</td></tr><tr><td>219</td><td>Ryan Rucinski</td><td>C</td><td> United States</td><td>Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)</td></tr></tbody></table>