Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
TV/Radio: ESPN+ (national), MSG-B / SCRIPPS Sports (local feeds), NHL Center Ice; local radio on WGR 550 (Sabres) / Fox Sports 98.9 (Golden Knights)
The Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights continue a challenging five-game road trip with a stop in Buffalo, where the surging Sabres – winners of three straight and sitting 2nd in the Atlantic – host as favorites. Vegas (70 points) clings to the top spot in the West’s weakest division but has dropped two straight and is 1-2-0 on this trip. Buffalo (76 points) is playing its best hockey of the season at home (17-8-3) and looks to keep rolling with playoff positioning firmly in sight. This marks the first (and only) regular-season meeting between the teams in 2025-26.
Injury Report
Vegas Golden Knights (significant absences and new questionables):
- Mark Stone (C, captain) – Day-to-Day (upper body; left Mar 1 game vs. PIT in 1st period after hit from Letang; traveled with team but status uncertain – massive blow if out)
- William Karlsson (C) – Out (lower body; long-term, not skating yet)
- Brett Howden (C) – Out (lower body; LTIR, expected return ~March 8)
- Carter Hart (G) – Out (lower body; LTIR)
- Jonas Rondbjerg (RW) – Out (undisclosed; day-to-day but unlikely)
- Others: Depth pieces filling in; Adin Hill expected in net after 17-save effort in shutout loss.
Buffalo Sabres (long-term absences but core healthy):
- Jordan Greenway (LW) – Out (abdomen; IR since late January, new treatment ongoing)
- Conor Timmins (D) – Out (broken leg; since December)
- Justin Danforth (RW) – Out (knee)
- Jiri Kulich (F) – Out (upper body / blood clot issues; sidelined since November)
- Zach Benson (LW) – Probable / recently returned or nearing full participation (upper body; skating and possible activation)
Core stars (Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, etc.) fully available. Sabres rolling with strong depth.
Vegas is without its captain and multiple key forwards, forcing heavy minutes for Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, and the blueline. Buffalo is near full operational strength.
Recent Form (Last 10 Games)
Golden Knights (4-5-1): Struggling on the road.
- L 0-5 @ Pittsburgh (Mar 1) – shutout, Stone injured
- L 2-3 @ Washington (Feb 27)
- W 6-4 vs. LA (prior)
- Mixed results with defensive lapses and scoring droughts; 1-2-0 on current road trip, averaging under 2.5 goals lately.
Sabres (7-2-1 in last 10, 3-0 streak): Surging.
- W 6-2 vs. Tampa Bay (Feb 28) – Tage Thompson 32nd goal
- Strong home wins and efficient offense (3.5+ GPG in streak). Defensive structure tightened; riding momentum into this matchup.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
First meeting of the season (0-0).
All-time regular season: Sabres lead 7-5-2 vs. Vegas. Buffalo has taken 2 of the last 3 meetings (including a shootout win in March 2025). Low-scoring trend in recent clashes, but Sabres have owned the net at KeyBank Center.
Key Player Matchups
- Jack Eichel (Golden Knights C, ex-Sabre) vs. Buffalo’s top line (Tage Thompson / Alex Tuch / others): Emotional homecoming for Eichel (franchise points leader in Vegas); Thompson’s size/skill creates mismatch problems if Stone is out.
- Adin Hill (Golden Knights G) vs. Sabres’ high-volume attack: Hill faces 30+ shots expected; Buffalo’s speed in transition will test him after allowing 5 vs. PIT.
- Rasmus Dahlin / Sabres D vs. Vegas forwards (Hertl / Stone if active): Dahlin’s Norris-level play and mobility should shut down Vegas’ transition game.
- Special Teams: Sabres strong on PP lately; Vegas PK vulnerable without depth forwards. Goaltending duel favors Buffalo’s Luukkonen/Levi tandem at home.
Betting Trends
- Sabres 7-3 SU in last 10, 6-2-2 ATS-equivalent at home during streak.
- Golden Knights 3-7 SU in last 10, 1-4 SU vs. Buffalo in recent history.
- Over has hit in 5 of Sabres’ last 7 home games; Under in 4 of Vegas’ last 6 road contests.
- Sabres 17-8-3 home; Vegas 1-2-0 on current road trip and poor ATS as road dogs without Stone.
- Total Over 6 in 6 of last 10 head-to-heads (all-time).
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights 6.5
Buffalo Sabres – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 2, 2026
