Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings vs. Sabres: Notes, Lines, Goalies, How to Watch

Published

3 months ago

October 26, 2024

The Detroit Red Wings’ three-game winning streak has injected a dose of early confidence into the team. But this is a team that understands the work is only beginning.

Detroit players and coaches worked on their penalty killing Friday in preparation for another Eastern Conference matchup Saturday against Buffalo. It’s hard to feel smug about a 4-3 start when your penalty killing is ranked 31st out of 32 teams. The Red Wings have only killed off 15 of 24 (62.5%) opponent power play opportunities in the first seven games.

The good news they are going up against a Buffalo team (3-4-1) that hasn’t scored a power play goal yet this season. Detroit’s mission is to keep the Buffalo slump going.

Game Notes

Detroit: The Red Wings were 3-1 against Buffalo last season…Lucas Raymond‘s six points tie him for the team’s point scoring lead, but he hasn’t yet scored a goal…Red Wings will play 11 forwards and seven defensemen if JT Compher (illness) can’t play. Tyler Motte (upper body) is still day-to-day.

Buffalo Notes: Ryan McLeod has one point in each of his last five games (4-1-5). A point today would give him the longest streak of his career. If McLeod scores today, he would become the first Sabres player to own a five-game goal scoring streak since former Detroit player Tomas Vanek did it for Buffalo in 2008. Injury update: Nicolas Aube-Kubel (lower body) is skating with the team. He probably could play today, but the Sabres may keep him out until Monday to give him more practice time. Zach Benson (lower body) won’t play today.