The Buffalo Sabres will try to keep a strong homestand going Sunday afternoon when they host the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, and Buffalo enters the matchup after a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
Saturday’s practice offered a useful clue about Buffalo’s plans in goal. Colten Ellis took the starter’s net, which points to him being in line to start against a Vegas team that has already shown it can grind out tight games on its current road trip. Ellis has a.909 save percentage over his last three starts, giving the Sabres some recent stability in net as they continue their four-game homestand.
What to watch for
Buffalo’s lineup looked unchanged at practice, with the Sabres keeping the same lines and pairs after the win over Columbus. That suggests the team may be leaning on the group that handled Friday’s game well, while also leaving open the possibility of scratches if the roster is trimmed before puck drop.
The Golden Knights arrive as the reigning Western Conference champions and have gone 2-0-1 on the road trip, with those games coming in close fashion. That kind of run usually tests a team’s structure late in games, which makes Buffalo’s recent form and its goaltending decision even more important.
There is also a forward-depth angle worth watching for Vegas. Trevor Connelly has added balance to the group with recent scoring, including two goals and three assists, and his speed showed up on Oct. 27 when he was clocked at 23.73 mph in a win over Ottawa. He then scored the winner in Detroit on Thursday, adding to a stretch that has given the Golden Knights more options up front.
How to follow the game
For fans in the Sabres broadcast market, the game is set to air on MSG. Streaming is also available through DAZN. Sunday’s matchup gives Buffalo another chance to build momentum before the homestand moves on, while Vegas looks to keep its road trip moving in the right direction.
The Sabres will be trying to stack wins after the Friday victory, and with Colten Ellis expected to get the net, Buffalo’s goaltending setup is one of the clearest storylines heading into the afternoon.
