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This was kinda fun. Grok game preview.. ### Buffalo Sabres vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights Game Preview for January 4, 2025 **Matchup Overview:** - **Teams:** Buffalo Sabres vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights - **Venue:** T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV - **Date:** January 4, 2025 - **Time:** 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PST) - **Broadcast:** ESPN+ / MSG-B / SCRIPPS **Team Standings:** - **Buffalo Sabres:** 14-20-5, 33 points, 16th in the Eastern Conference - **Vegas Golden Knights:** 26-9-3, 55 points, 2nd in the Western Conference **Recent Form:** - **Sabres:** Coming off a 6-5 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. They've been inconsistent, going 3-7-1 in their last ten games. However, they've shown offensive prowess, averaging 4.8 goals in their last five games. - **Golden Knights:** Following their 5-4 loss to the Boston Bruins, Vegas is eager to bounce back. They had been on a six-game winning streak before this setback but have won only four of their last ten. **Key Players to Watch:** - **Buffalo Sabres:** - **Dylan Cozens:** Has been pivotal for the Sabres with 20 points this season, including a strong record against Vegas with eight points in six career games against them.[](https://insidetherink.com/nhl-game-preview-buffalo-sabres-at-vegas-golden-knights-with-line-combinations-1-4-2025/) - **Alex Tuch:** Known for his performance against Vegas, having scored and assisted in recent games against them.[](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-vs-vegas-golden-knights-game-preview-5-things-to-know-ahead-of-the-game-jordan-greenway-ukko-pekka-luukkonen) - **Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen:** Expected to be in goal, with a season record of 18-15-2 and a 2.46 GAA.[](https://winnersandwhiners.com/games/nhl/3-2-2024/vegas-golden-knights-vs-buffalo-sabres-prediction-4870/) - **Las Vegas Golden Knights:** - **William Karlsson:** With 17 points this season, he's had a good track record against Buffalo, tallying 16 points in 20 career games.[](https://insidetherink.com/nhl-game-preview-buffalo-sabres-at-vegas-golden-knights-with-line-combinations-1-4-2025/) - **Logan Thompson:** Likely to start in net, aiming to stabilize the defense after a recent high-scoring game.[](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-vegas-golden-knights-preview-lineup-starting-goalie-devon-levi-jeff-skinner-injury-update) - **Shea Theodore:** On a five-game point streak, contributing significantly to Vegas' offense.[](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/how-to-watch-buffalo-sabres-vs-vegas-golden-knights-march-2-2024) **Injuries and Lineup Notes:** - **Sabres:** Forward Jeff Skinner is out with an upper-body injury, leading to some reshuffling in the power-play units.[](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-vegas-golden-knights-preview-lineup-starting-goalie-devon-levi-jeff-skinner-injury-update) - **Golden Knights:** Mark Stone is week to week with an upper-body injury, while Jack Eichel, although practicing, won't play in this game.[](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-vs-vegas-golden-knights-game-preview-5-things-to-know-ahead-of-the-game-jordan-greenway-ukko-pekka-luukkonen) **Strategic Analysis:** - **Buffalo's Strategy:** The Sabres will look to leverage their recent offensive momentum. Their strategy might focus on exploiting Vegas's recent defensive vulnerabilities, especially after conceding four goals to Boston. However, they'll need to tighten up defensively to avoid another high-scoring game against them. - **Vegas's Approach:** With key players out, the Golden Knights will rely on their depth and home-ice advantage. Their game plan will likely involve a strong start, capitalizing on their power play, and using their experience from last season's championship run to control the game's pace. **Game Predictions:** - **Score Prediction:** Vegas 4, Buffalo 2. The Golden Knights are expected to capitalize on their home advantage and the Sabres' defensive inconsistencies. - **Betting Odds:** Vegas is favored with a -1.5 spread and a money line of -192. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.[](https://insidetherink.com/nhl-game-preview-buffalo-sabres-at-vegas-golden-knights-with-line-combinations-1-4-2025/) **Additional Notes:** - **Historical Context:** The Sabres have had a mixed record against Vegas, with a notable win in Vegas earlier in the season where they scored four unanswered goals in the third period.[](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-vs-vegas-golden-knights-game-preview-5-things-to-know-ahead-of-the-game-jordan-greenway-ukko-pekka-luukkonen) - **Fan Sentiment:** Recent posts on X show anticipation for Devon Levi starting for Buffalo, which might influence line combinations and strategies.[](https://x.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1735838759529386200) **Conclusion:** This matchup promises excitement, with the Golden Knights looking to leverage their home-ice advantage against a Sabres team that has shown they can score but struggle with consistency. The game's outcome might hinge on goaltending and special teams' performances, making for a potentially thrilling encounter at T-Mobile Arena. That didn’t format well!

I agree with most of this and I was really encouraged with the mid third period. They were pressuring in the neutral zone and back into the Ave's zone and had them stymied for awhile. In fact that is how the Tage to Zucker goal happened to make it 5-3. I was very encouraged watching that as they were not playing passively. That being said, the 6 on 5 was a disaster. I think they should feel positive all the way up to 6 on 5 and figure out how to fix that next. They went back to being passive and got burned.

If you take away that 14-6-4, they are 0-13!

Adam’s say “hold muh beer.”

IMO Adam’s must go before Lindy. Lindy needs to be there to steady the ship while the new GM works the plan. This has turned into a dumpster fire.

Watch the Bills of course!

Right, what we really need are small weak hockey players. And yes you are correct, I AM a toxic man.

Toxic masculinity? Bwahahaha

Dahlin, Thompson and 3 firsts to Edmonton for McDavid.

No worries, lots of coping and seething around here these days.

I think you just answered your own question. The retaliation was meant to change the momentum of the game, and it worked. The fighting is part of what makes hockey great.

The good news is that it looks as though the Sabres have already begun to turn things around. 8-5 the last 13 games. Just need to keep it up and get healthy. Starting to look like a real hockey team.

I’ll say it. Power is a Fvcking pvssy

I think Quinn is simply thinking too much. Causing him to not get moving with his feet and not having the space he is used to having. I expect a huge 2nd half from him.

I think Power and Quinn are suffering most from the coaching change. I think both are thinking a beat too much and it is costing their ability and space to attack up ice which was both of their strengths last year. Quinn's game yesterday showed some glimpses of see and react.

IDK, McLeod seems to do less dumb things.

Then hopefully have enough depth to sit the loafers for a night. With Kulich, A-K, and our two D's, we can kind of do that.

No doubt the defensemen skew those numbers higher and feed the narrative.

Same. The attitudes wouldn't be this bad without the scar tissue of the past however many years. That IMO should be irrelevant to hope or optimism.

Until they make it.

Are you this fragile?

Very simply, if we stay relatively healthy with our top goal scores and net minders. This is a playoff team.

In my opinion yes. If we had Levi's production for Comrie's disaster last year it would have been close. Better coaching, better roster I say yes. But we will see. If Josh Allen tears his ACL in practice the Bills won't be making the playoffs either.