Buffalo Sabres Week in Review (Oct. 14 – Oct. 19, 2025)

Breanna McNeill
Oct 20
5 min read

Buffalo Sabres after their shutout victory over the Florida Panthers — Photo Credit: Micheline Veluvolu (X: @MiMiV4682)

The Buffalo Sabres have flipped the script on their shaky start, winning two straight games , including an eight-goal outburst against the Ottawa Senators and a shutout victory over the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.

After dropping their first three games of the season, something finally clicked for the Sabres. The group has shown fans and the league that they can be the competitive team many projected them to be. While it’s still early in the season, it’s encouraging to see the team finding chemistry and executing as a unit. Their special teams have been particularly strong, going 5-for-7 (71.4%) on the power play – the most power-play goals Buffalo has scored in any two-game span since December 2022 – and 11-for-12 (91.6%) on the penalty kill. Their seven kills on Saturday marked the first time since November 2022 that the Sabres have successfully killed seven or more penalties in a game without allowing a goal. Buffalo now ranks first in the NHL in penalty-kill percentage.

Goaltender Alex Lyon was stellar, turning aside 65 of 69 shots across both games. His 32-save shutout against the Panthers was the fifth of his career and the highest save total he’s ever recorded in a shutout performance. Lyon also leads all NHL goaltenders in penalty-kill saves this season with 48.

Notable Player Performances:

Josh Doan: Last 2 GP – 2G, 3A, 3 PPP
Rasmus Dahlin: Last 3 GP – 4A, 3 PPP
Tage Thompson: Last 3 GP – 1G, 3A, 2 PPP
Zach Benson: 2 GP – 5A, 2 PPP, 1 SHP
- Joined Pat LaFontaine as the only players in Sabres history to record five or more assists in their first two games of a season.
- Became the second-youngest Sabres skater to record four or more assists in a single game.
Jason Zucker: Last 2 GP – 2G, 1A, 3 PPP
- Marked his 25th career multi-goal game and third with Buffalo.
Alex Tuch: Last 3 GP – 1G, 3A
Peyton Krebs: Last 2 GP – 2A
Owen Power: Last 2 GP – 1G, 1A
Jack Quinn: 2G, 1 PPP (Oct. 15 vs. OTT)
- Seventh multi-goal game of his career.
Ryan McLeod: 2G, 1 SHP (Oct. 15 vs. OTT)
- Third multi-goal game with Buffalo and fifth of his career.

The Sabres face a tough week ahead with four games against top division rivals: the Montreal Canadiens (4–2–0) on Monday, the Detroit Red Wings (5–1–0) on Wednesday, followed by a home-and-home series against the Toronto Maple Leafs (3–2–1) on Friday and Saturday. With eight possible points up for grabs, Buffalo will look to extend their momentum, climb the Atlantic Division standings, and move above the .500 mark for the first time this season. Keep an eye on goaltender Colten Ellis, who could make his NHL debut during the back-to-back.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the two games:

Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators – Oct. 15th, 2025

Final: 8 (BUF) – 4 (OTT)

The Buffalo Sabres erupted for their first win of the season in spectacular fashion, defeating the Ottawa Senators 8–4 at KeyBank Center on Wednesday night. It was a much-needed offensive breakout for Buffalo, who had dropped their first three games of the season. Jason Zucker, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn each scored twice, powering an explosive surge that overwhelmed Ottawa’s defense.

Zach Benson made a memorable season debut after recovering from a puck to the face in practice earlier this month. The young forward tallied four assists in just under 17 minutes of ice time, showing no signs of rust. Alex Tuch added a goal and an assist, while Josh Doan chipped in with three helpers, recording his first points as a Sabre. Goaltender Alex Lyon held strong with 32 saves, weathering Ottawa’s early and late push, keeping Buffalo ahead during a chaotic third period.

The Senators briefly held a 2–1 lead early in the second period, but Buffalo responded with five unanswered goals. McLeod tied the game with a short-handed tally, and Tuch gave the Sabres the lead minutes later, cleaning up the rebound of a shot from the point. Zucker then struck twice on the power play, including a deflection off his arm, to stretch the lead to 5–2. With Ottawa in a back-to-back situation, they opted to leave young goaltender Leevi Meriläinen for the entire game.

The Senators tried to rally with goals from Shane Pinto and Lars Eller early in the third, cutting the lead to one, but Buffalo held strong. McLeod and Quinn each netted their second of the night within a minute to restore the cushion, and Jiri Kulich sealed the win with an empty-netter.

Alex Lyon finished with 34 saves, while Buffalo fired 27 shots at the other end.

Three Stars:

#1. Ryan McLeod (BUF) – 2G

#2. Jason Zucker (BUF) – 2G

#3. Josh Doan (BUF) – 3A

Buffalo Sabres vs. Florida Panthers – Oct. 18th, 2025

Final: 3 (BUF) – 0 (FLA)

Buffalo carried their momentum into Saturday night with a commanding 3–0 win over the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Alex Lyon stole the show, stopping all 32 shots he faced for his first shutout as a Sabre – and fittingly, it came against his former team.

Josh Doan led the way offensively with two power-play goals. His first came midway through the opening period on a deflection of Tage Thompson’s shot, marking his first as a Sabre. He added another in the second, redirecting a Jason Zucker pass past Sergei Bobrovsky.

Owen Power capped the scoring later in the frame, joining the rush and finishing a feed from Alex Tuch to make it 3–0. The goal gave Buffalo a comfortable lead and allowed Lyon to lock things down from there.

Florida, now riding a four-game losing streak after starting the season 3–0, struggled mightily on special teams. The Panthers went 0-for-7 on the power play despite firing 15 shots with the man advantage, helping Buffalo move into first for the penalty-kill in the NHL.