Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
TV: ESPN+ (regional: MSG-B, Utah16)
This is a non-conference matchup and the first meeting of the 2026-27 season between the teams. Both clubs are looking to bounce back from recent lopsided losses.
Projected Lineups / Current Rosters
Mammoth (approximate recent/projected):
Clayton Keller – Nick Schmaltz – Vincent Trocheck
Anders Lee – Logan Cooley – Dylan Guenther
Lawson Crouse – Barrett Hayton – Jack McBain
Depth including Daniil But, Kevin Stenlund, Michael Carcone (status pending) Defense: Mikhail Sergachev – MacKenzie Weegar; Nate Schmidt – John Marino; Andrew Peeke – Dmitri Simashev / others. Goaltenders: Karel Vejmelka (projected starter) / Sebastian Cossa.
Sabres (approximate recent/projected):
Peyton Krebs – Jiri Kulich – Tage Thompson
Zach Benson – Noah Ostlund – Jack Quinn
Konsta Helenius / Ryan McLeod – Josh Norris – supporting depth
Beck Malenstyn – Justin Danforth / others Defense: Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin; Olen Zellweger – Owen Power; depth pairs. Goaltenders: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected) / Colten Ellis (Alex Lyon status uncertain).
Injury / Status Reports
Mammoth:
Maveric Lamoureux (D, shoulder) – long-term IR (surgery; months).
Michael Carcone (LW, undisclosed) – day-to-day / questionable.
Mikhail Sergachev (D, upper body) – day-to-day (exited a recent game; status monitored).
Sabres:
Jason Zucker (LW, abdomen) – IR.
Alex Lyon (G, upper body) – IR / day-to-day (practiced recently).
Conor Timmins (D, lower body) – IR.
Topias Leinonen (G, lower body) – IR/non-roster.
Jack Rathbone (D, undisclosed) – IR/non-roster.
Additional notes on other depth players in some reports.
Recent Team Forms
Mammoth (3-2-0): Strong start with offensive firepower. Results: W 6-0 vs. CHI, W 4-1 at CBJ, L 2-4 at NYR, W 5-3 at NJD, L 1-6 at BOS. Leading or near the top in goals for (~3.6 GF/G) with an elite early power play (~40%). Nick Schmaltz (7 points: 5G-2A) and Clayton Keller (7 points) leading the way. Possession metrics strong (high CF%). Coming off a road trip finale after a blowout loss.
Sabres (2-2-0): Mixed results with defensive and special-teams concerns. Results: L 3-6 at CBJ, W 4-3 vs. CHI, W 3-2 OT vs. MIN, L 0-4 vs. DAL. Offense limited (~2.5 GF/G); power play 0-for-13 early. Strong possession in some games but goaltending and finishing issues. Home record 2-1-0. Looking to rebound from a shutout loss.
Key Player Matchups
Nick Schmaltz / Clayton Keller / Dylan Guenther vs. Sabres defense (Dahlin-Samuelsson, Power): Utah’s skilled top forwards and elite early PP against Buffalo’s blue-line core.
Tage Thompson / Jack Quinn / Rasmus Dahlin vs. Mammoth defense (Sergachev-Weegar): Buffalo’s star talent testing Utah’s structure; Dahlin’s all-around impact is key.
Goaltending: Vejmelka (solid early) vs. Luukkonen (struggling early numbers).
Special teams: Utah’s hot PP against Buffalo’s early PK and zero PP success. Transition and forecheck battles likely decisive given both teams’ recent high-event games.
Series History
Utah holds a perfect 4-0 all-time record against Buffalo (including as the Utah Hockey Club). The Mammoth have won the previous four meetings, often by multi-goal margins. No prior 2026-27 meetings.
Betting Trends
Lines reflect a competitive matchup. Utah’s higher scoring rate and historical dominance provide road value; Buffalo’s home ice and bounce-back potential keep it close. fanduel.com
Game Odds
Utah Mammoth – 108
Buffalo Sabres 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 9, 2026
