Fri Jan 03 01:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Avalanche Host Sabres in New Year’s Clash
**DENVER, CO** – The Colorado Avalanche, riding a five-game winning streak, welcome the Buffalo Sabres to Ball Arena on Thursday night for their first game of 2025. The game marks the final meeting between the two teams this season, with the Avalanche having previously overcome a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Sabres 5-4 in Buffalo on December 3rd.
The matchup features two offensively potent defensive units. Colorado leads the league with 100 points from their defensemen, while Buffalo ranks fifth with 88 points. The Avalanche enter the game fresh off a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, a game that saw Casey Mittelstadt score the game-winning goal and Jonathan Drouin record two assists in his return. Mikko Rantanen extended his point streak to 11 games with a goal in the win.
The Avalanche boast a formidable offensive attack, led by Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s leading point scorer with 61 points (including a December where he earned First Star honors). Cale Makar leads all NHL defensemen in points (46), while Rantanen is tied for third in league scoring with 54 points. The Avalanche are 26-12-4 against the Sabres in 42 previous regular season matchups.
Buffalo, on the other hand, is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Sabres’ offense is paced by Tage Thompson (18 goals, 30 points) and Alex Tuch (12 goals, 28 points). Rasmus Dahlin leads the team in assists. The game will also mark the return of Bowen Byram to Ball Arena, playing against his former team after being traded in March 2024.
Avs head coach Jared Bednar commented on Mittelstadt’s performance in the win against Winnipeg, noting his increased energy and offensive contributions. The game promises a high-scoring affair between two teams with strong offensive firepower, particularly from their defensive corps. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.
First Piper 