Sat Jan 25 21:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Oilers Host Sabres in Matinée Matchup Saturday
**EDMONTON, AB** – The Edmonton Oilers will look to continue their strong play when they host the Buffalo Sabres in a Saturday afternoon game at Rogers Place. The matchup, which begins at 2:00 MT, will be broadcast on Sportsnet and can be heard on the Oilers Radio Network.
Coming off a dominant 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, the Oilers displayed both offensive firepower and defensive composure. Leon Draisaitl led the scoring with a goal and two assists, extending his NHL goalscoring lead to 35 goals and moving within one point of Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead. Zach Hyman also contributed two goals and an assist. Despite some late-game chippiness initiated by the Canucks, the Oilers successfully avoided getting drawn into unnecessary penalties, a testament to their veteran experience according to Head Coach Kris Knoblauch.
The Sabres, currently last in the Eastern Conference, enter the game with an 18-25-5 record and a 13-year playoff drought – the longest active streak in NHL history. While their record may not reflect their true ability, Coach Knoblauch acknowledges the Sabres’ danger, highlighting players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin.
Saturday’s game marks a special occasion for Oilers winger Jeff Skinner, who will face his former Sabres teammates for the first time since joining Edmonton last July. Skinner, who has seen increased power-play opportunities with Connor McDavid’s suspension, expressed comfort in his new surroundings, and Coach Knoblauch anticipates a scoring breakthrough for the winger soon.
Adding to the intrigue, Oilers’ former prospect Ryan McLeod will return to the lineup after missing three games due to injury and will face his former team for the first time since being traded to Buffalo. The game promises a compelling matchup between a high-flying Oilers team and a Sabres squad looking to prove their worth.
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