Buffalo Sabres Week in Review (Nov. 24 – Nov. 30)

Breanna McNeill
3 days ago
4 min read

Photo Credit: Buffalo Sabres Multimedia Photo Galleries

The Buffalo Sabres managed just two of a possible six points during their three games this week, dropping their first two games before salvaging a shootout win to close things out. They opened with a competitive effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins but were undone by two quick goals in the third period, resulting in a 4-2 loss. Returning home to KeyBank Centre on Friday, the Sabres were blanked 5-0 by the New Jersey Devils, marking their third shutout defeat on home ice this season. The following night, however, Buffalo snapped the Minnesota Wild’s seven-game winning streak with a 4-3 shootout victory, highlighted by rookie goaltender Colten Ellis making 22 saves.

Despite the much-needed result, Buffalo still remains at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 10-11-4 record, though they continue to rank among the top two teams in the NHL in penalty-kill percentage, a bright spot they’ll look to build upon heading into December that is historically plagued as a rough one.

Notable Player Performances:

Noah Ostlund
- Shootout winner
Colten Ellis – 1-0, .917 SV%
- Has been in net for Buffalo’s only road wins (2)

The Sabres will play three games this week: Tonight against the Winnipeg Jets (13–11–0), Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers (14–7–3), and then Friday against the Jets again.

Josh Norris is expected to play against the Jets in tonights game, which will be his first game since getting injured in the first game of the season.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the three games:

Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Nov. 26th, 2025

Final: 4 (PIT) – 2 (BUF)

The Buffalo Sabres fell 4-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, continuing their road game struggles.

Matt Dumba opened the scoring late in the first period, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot from above the right face-off circle that deflected off Buffalo defenseman Bowen Byram.

Jack Quinn nearly tied the game in the closing seconds of the second period, but his redirection of Ryan McLeod’s pass slid just wide of the open right side of the net.

Quinn did eventually help Buffalo draw even early in the third, when Jason Zucker tipped in his shot from the right circle to make it 1-1. But as luck would have it, the Penguins would quickly answer as Bryan Rust restored the lead just 31 seconds later, and Kevin Hayes followed with his first goal of the season off a feed from Erik Karlsson to extend the advantage to 3-1.

Roles were revered as Quinn struck again with under five minutes remaining, this time finishing a backhand pass from Zucker in front to cut the deficit to 3-2. Buffalo pulled Luukkonen for the extra attacker in hopes to pull even once more, but Connor Dewar would seal the Pittsburgh win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

The Sabres managed only five shots through the first 34 minutes of play before firing 26 over the final 25, but their late surge couldn’t overcome the two quick goals surrendered early in the third.

Three Stars:

#1. Kevin Hayes (PIT) – 1G

#2. Jack Quinn (BUF) – 1G, 1A

#3. Tristan Jarry (PIT) – .935 SV%

Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils – Nov. 28th, 2025

Final: 5 (NJD) – 0 (BUF)

The Buffalo Sabres dropped their second straight game and were shut out at home for the third time this season, falling 5–0 to the New Jersey Devils on Friday afternoon.

Looking to spark momentum, and get some revenge, Tage Thompson dropped the gloves with Devils forward Stefan Noesen early in the first period. Noesen had sidelined Thompson with a blindside hit in their last meeting late last season. Both received five minutes for fighting, but that unfortunately proved to be the Sabres’ lone highlight of the matchup.

Nico Hischier opened the scoring midway through the first, extending his goal streak to four games. Timo Meier’s centering pass deflected off Alex Tuch and landed in front of Alex Lyon, where Hischier snapped it stick side for a 1-0 lead.

Arseny Gritsyuk doubled the advantage in the second, pouncing on a loose puck in the slot and beating Lyon under his right arm.

The Devils broke the game open in the third: Brenden Dillon’s bar-down one-timer from the left circle made it 3-0, followed by Paul Cotter’s backhand finish on a breakaway for 4-0. Gritsyuk capped the scoring with his second of the night, converting Ondrej Palat’s feed on a 2-on-1 to seal the 5-0 final.

Jake Allen stopped all 42 shots he faced for the shutout, while Lyon made 18 saves in his first start since Nov. 13.

Three Stars:

#1. Jake Allen (NJD) – Shutout

#2. Arseny Gritsyuk (NJD) – 2G

#3. Paul Cotter (NJD) – 1G, 1A

Buffalo Sabres vs. Minnesota Wild – Nov. 29th, 2025

Final/SO: 4 (BUF) – 3 (MIN)

The Buffalo Sabres came from behind to end the Minnesota Wild’s seven-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout victory on Saturday night.

Kirill Kaprizov opened the scoring midway through the first period, blasting a one-timer from the right circle to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead. Beck Malenstyn quickly answered, deflecting in the rebound of a Peyton Krebs shot to tie the game. However, Matt Boldy restored the Wild’s lead again later in the period, stealing the puck from Alex Tuch along the right boards and driving to the net before slipping a shot through rookie goaltender Colten Ellis’ five-hole for a 2-1 advantage.

After a scoreless second period, Buffalo caught a break in the third. Josh Doan was credited with the tying goal when his wrist shot from the left circle ricocheted off the glass behind the net and deflected in off Mats Zuccarello at the right post, knotting the game at 2-2.

Neither team could break through in overtime despite several dangerous chances, sending the contest to a shootout. Tage Thompson, Jack Quinn, and Noah Ostlund all converted, with Ostlund delivering the game-winner in the fourth round to secure two crucial points for Buffalo.

Ellis finished with 22 saves in the win, while Filip Gustavsson stopped 30 shots for Minnesota in defeat.

Three Stars:

#1. Rasmus Dahlin (BUF)

#2. Noah Ostlund (BUF) – 1A + Shootout Winner

#3. Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) – 1G