Game #19

Buffalo Sabres (8-9-1) vs. L.A. Kings (10-6-3)

Puck Drop: 10:30 pm EST Crytpo.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

TV: MSG

Radio: WGR 550

Know Your Opponent

L.A. Kings

Record: 10-6-3, 23 Pts.

Last Game: 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings

Division Ranking: 2nd in the Pacific Division

PP Ranking: 26th (15.52%)

PK Ranking: 14th (80.30%)

What to Watch

1. Sabres Better Overall Record, But Lost Last Matchup

The Buffalo Sabres enjoy the better overall record vs. the L.A. Kings, going 66-50-18 since 1970. However, L.A. beat Buffalo during their last matchup on Oct. 10 this season, skating away with two points as part of a 3-1 victory at KeyBank Center. The Blue and Gold haven’t lost to the Kings in Los Angeles since Feb. 13, 2023. If the Sabres hope to keep that good road record going, they’ll need to play the opposite of the way they performed in October, putting forth their best effort for 60 minutes.

2. Thompson Out, Tuch Game-Time Decision

Ever since Sabres’ center Tage Thompson suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 11 in the home game against the Montreal Canadiens, he’s left a big hole in Buffalo’s top offensive line. The Sabres have struggled to keep their offense going in his absence, with mixed results. TNT is definitely out while winger Alex Tuch, another high-scoring forward, is a game-time decision.

Center Ryan McCleod will take Thompson’s place while right winger Isak Rosen should fill in for Tuch if No. 89 doesn’t play. McCleod has six goals and six assists this season, including two goals in his last two matchups. Rosen has yet to score a goal in 2024-25 but maybe tonight’s the night.

3. UPL Back in Net

Speaking of players the Sabres have missed, starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is another face that’s been scarce during Buffalo’s recent contests. However, the good news seems to be he’ll be back in net to face the Kings. Head coach Lindy Ruff probably wouldn’t send backup netminder Devon Levi to Rochester if UPL wasn’t good to go. Fans and players alike count on Luukkonen’s usually excellent goalie skills, which don’t always help the team win but often make the difference in critical situations. Playing a second in their division Kings opponent at home is one of those.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

JJ Peterka – Ryan McCleod – Alex Tuch*

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Sam Lafferty

Jason Zucker – Jiri Kulich – Jack Quinn

Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

*Tuch will be a game-time decision

Defense

Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram

Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju

Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton

Goaltenders

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (likely starter), James Reimer

L.A. Kings

Forwards

Alex Turcotte – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe

Kevin Fiala – Philip Danault – Trevor Moore

Warren Foegele – Quinton Byfield – Alex Laferriere

Tanner Jeannot – Samuel Helenius – Trevor Lewis

Defense

Mikey Anderson – Vladislav Gavrikov

Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke

Jacob Moverare – Jordan Spence