The Buffalo Sabres fourth goal on Thursday kept getting changed between Tage Thompson and Ryan McLeod. It was the next day when I could actually sit down and talk to McLeod about getting his first NHL hat trick.

They’ve done so in recent weeks, primarily to condition the five-man defensive unit to handle late-game pressure. But these recent third-period outcomes have emphasized the need for offensive work at 6-on-5, as well. After practice, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff identified the areas needing improvement.

Summoned from minors

So even though the Sabres are currently shorthanded up front with Ryan McLeod, Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker all on the sidelines, and even though Buffalo had lost three of its last four games ...

See the injury report for the Buffalo Sabres (18-25-5), which currently has three players listed (including Jason Zucker), as the Sabres ready for their matchup against the Edmonton Oilers

THROUGH GAMES OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2025

The Buffalo Sabres (18-24-5) are dealing with three players on the injury report, including Jason Zucker, ahead of a Thursday, January 23 game against the Calgary Flames (22-16-7) at Scotiabank

The New Jersey Devils invested a lot to make sure their goaltending situation was stable in 2024-25. They acquired Jacob Markstrom fro the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster trade, but now New Jersey will be without its starting goaltender for several weeks.