BUFFALO – The Sabres will wake up ahead of Saturday’s home game against the Washington Capitals in seventh place in the stacked Atlantic Division but just two points out of third.
Despite finishing October with 11 points, the division’s lowest total – the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have the same number – the Sabres begin November in a solid spot following an odd few weeks.
They stumbled out of the gate, scoring just two goals during their dreadful 0-3-0 start and igniting fears they would endure another rough season.
They closed the month by dropping three consecutive games in overtime by 4-3 scores – the “loser” points they earned are significant – capped by Thursday’s setback to the Bruins in which they erased two two-goal deficits in Boston.
In between, the Sabres found a groove, going 4-1-0.
Clearly, they still haven’t showcased their best. Yes, they’ve registered some nice victories, most notably a 3-0 home triumph two weeks ago over the Panthers.
But they haven’t enjoyed much consistency – well, other than losing games in overtime – or developed an identity.
Entering Friday’s schedule, they ranked 19th in the NHL in goals per game (3.0), 12th in goals allowed per game (3.18), 14th in power play (21.6 percent), third in penalty killing (89.5 percent) and fifth in shots per game (31.1).
The Sabres possess enough talent and have done enough good things – teased, if you will – in the early going to make you wonder if they finally have the team that will end their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.
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After stopping just 18 of the 22 shots he faced in Boston, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon could be replaced Saturday by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen or rookie Colten Ellis.
Lyon, having started nine of the Sabres first 11 games, is due for a breather. The career backup is on pace to play 67 times.
He played a career-high 44 contests with the Detroit Red Wings last season. He hasn’t hit the 50-game mark since his final season of junior in 2012-13.
Entering Friday’s schedule, Lyon had made more saves (268) and faced more shots (294) than any NHL goalie.
With Luukkonen healthy and Ellis, who recently looked impressive in his NHL debut, on the roster, the frequency of Lyon’s starts could dwindle.
Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Thursday morning in Boston the Sabres plan to handle their goaltending “a game at a time.”
“I think the solution will come out of it,” he said.
Luukkonen recently battled two lower-body injuries before making his season debut in last Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 overtime loss in Toronto.
While the Finn served as the Sabres’ No. 1 netminder the last two seasons – he experienced a down year in 2024-25 – and has a big contract, Ruff won’t play him for the sake of it.
“You worry about winning the game you’re playing and who’s going to give us that best chance right now,” Ruff said. “UPL’s coming off injury. We know that the first game back wasn’t what we had hoped for, but it was the first game back coming off injury. Eventually, you’re going to see what the second game looks like.
“I’m not going to say that he’s probably in a position to be pretty damn good for us.”
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Sabres fans could witness history Saturday at KeyBank Center if Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, pots his 43rd career goal against Buffalo.
The Russian began Washington’s home game Friday against the New York Islanders with 899 career goals.
Ovechkin, of course, scored his 895th goal last season, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time mark.
Gretzky’s record once looked unbreakable, so the thought of someone hitting 900 seemed crazy.
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The Sabres did not practice Friday.