Puck drop 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
This is a non-conference early-season matchup. Buffalo has won two straight (both comebacks from 2-0 deficits) and sits near the top of the Atlantic; Dallas secured its first win of the year in dominant fashion and looks to build momentum on the road.
Injury Reports
Dallas Stars
Matt Duchene (C): Out (lower body), LTIR, expected return around Oct. 25.
Joel Kiviranta (LW): Out (lower body), expected to miss at least a week (return ~Oct. 13).
Cameron Hughes (C): Out (upper body), IR-NR, expected ~Oct. 10.
Harrison Scott (C): Out (undisclosed), IR-NR, expected ~Oct. 8.
Luke Krys (D) and others on IR-NR with shorter timelines.
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Buffalo Sabres
Josh Doan (RW): Day-to-day (lower body); limited late in Tuesday’s game.
Jason Zucker (LW): Out (abdomen/sports hernia), IR, expected ~Oct. 15 or later.
Alex Lyon (G): Out (upper body), IR, expected ~Oct. 10 (has practiced).
Conor Timmins (D): Out (lower body), IR, no firm timeline (~Oct. 17).
Topias Leinonen (G): Out (lower body), IR-NR.
Jack Rathbone (D): Out (undisclosed), IR-NR.
Mattias Samuelsson has also been dealing with issues earlier but status varies in reports.
Projected Goalies
Dallas: Jake Oettinger (projected, ~74% start probability). Strong early form including a shutout.
Buffalo: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected, ~74% start probability). Colten Ellis has seen action; Alex Lyon is sidelined.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Dallas Stars (core group):
Forwards – Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn (C), Sam Steel, Radek Faksa, Oskar Bäck, Justin Hryckowian, Arttu Hyry, Colin Blackwell (depth).
Defense – Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, Esa Lindell, Lian Bichsel, Nils Lundkvist, Tyler Myers, Kyle Capobianco.
Goalies – Jake Oettinger, Casey DeSmith.
Buffalo Sabres (core group):
Forwards – Tage Thompson, Jack Quinn, Zach Benson, Josh Norris, Ryan McLeod, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, Josh Doan (DTD), Peyton Krebs, Beck Malenstyn, Justin Danforth, Sam Carrick, Konsta Helenius, Tyson Kozak.
Defense – Rasmus Dahlin (C), Owen Power, Louis Crevier, Matt Grzelcyk, Zach Metsa, Olen Zellweger.
Goalies – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Colten Ellis (Alex Lyon on IR).
Dallas features high-end skill up front (Robertson-Rantanen-Johnston area). Buffalo relies on Thompson’s size/skill, Dahlin’s two-way play, and emerging young talent.
Recent Team Forms
Dallas (1-2-0): Mixed start. Results include L 0-4 vs. STL (Oct. 2), L 1-2 at NSH (Oct. 3), W 5-0 vs. SJS (Oct. 5). Scoring 2.00 goals per game, allowing 2.00; 0% power play so far but strong underlying defense and goaltending in the shutout win. They have two days’ rest.
Buffalo (2-1-0): Resilient. Results include L 3-6 at CBJ (Oct. 1), W 4-3 vs. CHI (Oct. 3), W 3-2 OT vs. MIN (Oct. 6). Scoring ~3.33 goals per game, allowing ~3.67; also 0% on the power play early but strong home form (2-0-0) and comeback ability (erased 2-0 deficits in both wins). One day of rest.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Recent meetings have been competitive. Notable results include:
April 15, 2026: Dallas 4, Buffalo 3 (SO) at BUF.
Dec. 31, 2025: Buffalo 4, Dallas 1 at DAL.
Earlier games often featured moderate scoring, with Dallas holding a historical edge in some tallies (e.g., 7-3 in last 10 in one report). Unders have appeared frequently in the series.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Tage Thompson / Buffalo top line (Quinn, Benson, Ostlund area) vs. Dallas top skill (Robertson-Johnston-Rantanen) and defense (Heiskanen-Harley): Buffalo’s primary scoring threat against Dallas’s elite defensive pair and high-end forwards.
Rasmus Dahlin / Owen Power defensive corps vs. Dallas’ skill forwards: Dahlin’s minutes and physicality against Robertson and company; Power has been productive early (including OT winner).
Dallas power play (currently 0%) vs. Buffalo penalty kill (~67%): Both units seeking first success; special teams have been quiet early league-wide for these clubs.
Jake Oettinger vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Oettinger has looked sharper early (shutout); Luukkonen carries the load amid Buffalo’s injury issues in net.
Line matchups (Buffalo has last change): Expect Buffalo’s top unit to see significant time against Dallas’ top line, with secondary matchups involving Hintz/Benn groups and Buffalo’s middle-six.
Betting Trends
Buffalo is 2-0 at home and has covered in comebacks; Dallas went Under in early games and posted a shutout. H2H leans competitive with some Unders. Early-season variance is high; public lean may favor the hotter home team.
Game Odds
Dallas Stars – 115
Buffalo Sabres 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, October 7, 2026
