Sabres Preseason Report: Sept 27, 2025

Breanna McNeill
Sep 29
2 min read

Photo Credit: Buffalo Sabres Multimedia Photo Galleries

Buffalo Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings

Final: 5 (BUF) - 2 (DET)

The Buffalo Sabres flipped the script from their previous outing, skating to a 5–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.

Rasmus Dahlin opened the scoring with a point shot in the first period, followed by rookie Radim Mrtka capitalizing on a two-on-one chance. Patrick Kane answered late in the frame to cut Detroit’s deficit in half.

Just 14 seconds into the second period, Tage Thompson restored Buffalo’s two-goal lead with a one-timer off a clean draw from Zach Benson. Detroit again clawed back within one thanks to Marco Kasper’s tally.

Thompson struck again early in the third, this time on the power play, just 37 seconds into the period, giving the Sabres much needed breathing room. Josh Norris then sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the final minutes.

Goaltender Alex Lyon, facing his former team, made 26 saves to secure the win.

Three Stars:

#1. Tage Thompson (BUF) – 2G

#2. Josh Norris (BUF) – 1G

#3. Radim Mrtka (BUF) – 1G

Sabres Roster

Forwards: Zach Benson, Josh Dunne, Mason Geertsen, Konsta Helenius, Tyson Kozak, Jake Leschyshyn, Ryan McLeod, Josh Norris, Isak Rosen, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Jason Zucker

Defenseman: Jacob Bryson, Bowen Byram, Rasmus Dahlin, Ryan Johnson, Radim Mrtka, Conor Timmins

Goaltenders: Alex Lyon, Devon Levi

The Sabres wrap up their preseason schedule with a two-game set against the Pittsburgh Penguins, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1, at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

Notable Updates:

Bowen Byram (D): Likely out vs. Pittsburgh on Oct. 1; skating on his own tomorrow.
Jiri Kulich (F): Still DTD, but expected to practice tomorrow.
Mattias Samuelsson (D): Re-aggravated previous injury; status could be week-to-week.
Jordan Greenway (F): Progressing; hopes to resume practicing next week.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G): Returned to practice; expected to play in upcoming preseason games.

Transactions (as of Sept. 29):

Placed on waivers: Jack Rathbone (D), Jake Leschyshyn (F), Zac Jones (D)
Released: Trevor Kuntar (F), Graham Slaggert (F), Brendan Warren (F), Noah Laaouan (D), Peter Tischke (D)
Sent to Rochester (AHL): Konsta Helenius (F), Riley Fiddler-Schultz (F), Anton Wahlberg (F), Isak Rosen (F), Olivier Nadeau (F), Zachary Metsa (D), Isaac Belliveau (F), Nikita Novikov (D), Viktor Neuchev (F), Scott Ratzlaff (G), Devon Levi (G), Jack Rathbone (D)