Wed Feb 26 03:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Sabres Look to Capitalize on Tired Ducks in Crucial Matchup

**Buffalo, NY** – The Buffalo Sabres (23-27-5) face the Anaheim Ducks (25-24-7) tonight at KeyBank Center in a crucial game for both teams. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM ET. While the Sabres are long shots for the playoffs, a win against a rebuilding Ducks team playing their third game in as many nights could be a much-needed boost.

The Ducks, coming off back-to-back overtime games against Boston and Detroit, are battling for a wildcard spot in the Western Conference, sitting six points outside the playoff picture. Despite their offensive struggles (lowest scoring team in the league), their strong defense (17th in goals against) keeps them competitive. Star winger Troy Terry leads the Ducks in scoring with 41 points.

The Sabres, meanwhile, have been hampered by injuries this season. The return of key players Jordan Greenway, Mattias Samuelsson, and Beck Malenstyn from injury provides a significant boost to their lineup. However, the status of Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker is uncertain going into tonight’s game. Star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, while leading all NHL defensemen in assists per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, has admitted to playing through nagging injuries affecting his shot production.

The Sabres’ special teams remain a concern, ranking 31st on the power play and 27th on the penalty kill. For Buffalo to have any chance of a playoff run, they need to start stringing together significant winning streaks – a feat that seems unlikely at this point. Tonight’s game presents an opportunity to test their mettle against a fatigued opponent and prove they can compete with teams ahead of them in the standings. The Sabres will need a strong performance from their entire lineup to secure two valuable points.

Read More