The Buffalo Sabres are on a hot streak as they prepare to face off against the New Jersey Devils this Sunday in Newark, New Jersey. The Sabres have reached a five-game winning streak, sustaining their momentum with a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory against the New York Islanders on Saturday. Buffalo took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but the Islanders equalized on a power play with just 29 seconds left in regulation.
Buffalo’s head coach, Lindy Ruff, attributed the team’s recent success to improved puck management and decision-making entering the offensive zone. He noted, “We’re not fueling the other team’s offense by making high-risk plays,” emphasizing that the team’s disciplined approach has led to gratifying results in tightly contested matches.
In each of their five victories, the Sabres have maintained a lead after two periods, often holding onto a slim one-goal advantage into the final frame. Key player Tage Thompson has been pivotal in this success, extending his goal streak to six games on Saturday, which ties his career high. Thompson’s performance has resulted in 18 goals this season, positioning him on track for over 40 goals for the third time in his career within the last four seasons.
Buffalo’s power play has also played a significant role in their recent wins, converting 5 out of 19 attempts during the winning streak, reflecting a 26.3% success rate. Their effectiveness with the man advantage has been notable since December, where they have been operating at a 27.8% efficiency.
In contrast, the New Jersey Devils enter the matchup fresh off a successful two-game road trip, with four wins in their last six outings. They secured a 2-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Friday, following a shootout win against the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the week. Despite feeling off his game, defenseman Brett Pesce remarked on the importance of grinding out results, emphasizing that effective teams find ways to win.
However, New Jersey’s power play has faced challenges recently, converting only 1 out of 26 opportunities since early December. Captain Nico Hischier expressed relief after Stefan Noesen scored the go-ahead goal in the third period against Utah, saying, “It felt good, obviously, we needed that one.”
While the Devils started the season strong at home with a perfect 7-0-0 record, they have struggled since, dropping six of their last seven home games, including their first regulation loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on November 29.
As both teams look to build on their performances, Sunday’s matchup promises an exciting contest between a Sabres team eager to keep their winning streak alive and a Devils squad aiming to regain their home ice advantage.