The Buffalo Sabres are set to face off against the Nashville Predators on January 20, 2026, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. Currently, Buffalo holds a record of 26 wins, 17 losses, and 5 overtime losses, placing them fifth in the Atlantic Division with 57 points. The Predators, with a record of 23 wins, 21 losses, and 4 overtime losses, are also fifth in the Central Division, accumulating 50 points.
Both teams will look to optimize their special teams’ performance; Buffalo’s power play stands at 19.4%, ranking 20th in the league, while their penalty kill is much stronger at 82.6%, placing them 7th. In contrast, Nashville boasts a slightly better power play efficiency of 20.3% (16th) and a penalty kill rate of 80.1% (13th).
Key players for Buffalo include Tage Thompson, who leads the team with 25 goals and 25 assists for a total of 50 points over 48 games. Alex Tuch follows closely with 40 points, while Rasmus Dahlin, contributing significantly from the blue line, has 35 points this season. For Nashville, Ryan O’Reilly has been a standout with 44 points, supported by Filip Forsberg and Luke Evangelista, who have 36 and 34 points respectively.
The projected starting goaltender for Buffalo is Alex Lyon, who has a record of 10 wins, 6 losses, and 3 overtime losses, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.82 and a save percentage of .906. Nashville will start Juuse Saros, who has a record of 19 wins, 15 losses, and 3 overtime losses, with a GAA of 2.94 and a save percentage of .898.
Buffalo is entering this game with notable momentum, having secured points in 16 of their last 19 contests (15-3-1), and they have also experienced success on the road, winning eight of their last ten away games. The Sabres’ power-play unit has been particularly effective recently, converting 33.3% of their opportunities over the last four games.
Several players are showing impressive individual form for Buffalo as well. Rasmus Dahlin is on a five-game point streak and closing in on a milestone in assists, while Tage Thompson has achieved 29 points in 23 games, reaffirming his role as a key contributor. Jason Zucker is gearing up for his 800th NHL game and has been valuable on the ice with assists in three straight games.
Injuries have impacted the Sabres, with several players currently on injured reserve, but they continue to show resilience and strong team play. Buffalo’s lineup adjustments will be pivotal as they aim for another win in this crucial matchup against a competitive Nashville side.
This game presents an exciting opportunity for both teams to strengthen their positions within their divisions, and for Buffalo, it could serve as a key moment to extend their successful streak.