Josh Allen will help pick the Bills’ next head coach. Is that a good idea? www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Alex Lyon got a shutout for his ninth straight win to help the Sabres climb the standings. But he has his sights set on more. “March and April is when you have to put your life on the line and that’s when things really matter the most.“ 📖 ⬇️

Sabres have acquired D Gavin Bayreuther from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for F Viktor Neuchev. Bayreuther has been assigned to the AHL.

Sabres get a 5-0 win in New York. That’s three straight wins for Buffalo.

Rasmus Dahlin gets an empty netter and then Alex Tuch got a goal moments later, and the Sabres have opened up a 5-0 lead.

Jason Zucker gets another one, and the Sabres are up 3-0 early in the third.

Zach Benson sets up Alex Tuch, and the Sabres take a 2-0 lead with 11.4 seconds left in the second period.

Sabres score 33 seconds into the sercond period. Jason Zucker grabbed a rebound and got the goal. Buffalo up 1-0.

Sabres and Islanders are scoreless at the first intermission. Islanders almost had a buzzer-beating goal but time had expired. Alex Lyon made a big save with about 20 seconds left in the period to keep it scoreless.

Sabres and Islanders set for puck drop shortly. Rasmus Dahlin is in Buffalo’s starting lineup. Alex Lyon in goal.

The Sabres have recalled Zac Jones from Rochester.

Lindy Ruff said Rasmus Dahlin is going to be ok. Just a maintenance day.

Sabres lines at practice Doan-Thompson-Tuch Zucker-McLeod-Quinn Benson-Ostlund-Helenius Kozak-Krebs-Malenstyn D Pairs Byram-Power Samuelsson-Kesselring Greenway filling in on defense with Metsa

Alex Lyon has the net to himself at Sabres practice this afternoon.

Hello from East Meadow. Zach Benson is on the ice for Sabres practice. Rasmus Dahlin is not on the ice for practice but he is here in street clothes.

The Sabres’ playoff push is looking real after their massive win in Montreal. “Coming into a sold-out Bell Centre is as close to a playoff game as you’re going to get in the regular season.” “You’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”

Some Sabres pre-game reading from Montreal. Jarmo Kekäläinen on the trade deadline, Josh Doan's new contract and more:

The Sabres’ playoff push is looking real after their massive win in Montreal. “Coming into a sold-out Bell Centre is as close to a playoff game as you’re going to get in the regular season.” “You’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”

Sabres win 4-2 and pick up two massive points in Montreal.

Peyton Krebs is becoming an empty net specialist. He gets another one, and the Sabres are up 4-2 with 43 seconds left.

Zach Benson down on the ice in a lot of pain. Looked like he took an elbow to the face.

Jacob Bryson has an upper body injury and will not return to the game for the Sabres.

The Sabres have a 3-2 lead as this game reaches the second intermission. Montreal has a 24-11 advantage in shots.

Nick Suzuki scores, and the Sabres' lead is now just 3-2. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lost track of the rebound, and Suzuki pounced on it.

Cole Caufield gets one back for Montreal. Sabres lead is cut to 3-1.

Zach Benson gets a few whacks at the puck and finally get it over the goal line. Sabres have a 3-09 lead on Montreal early in the second period.

Beck Malenstyn gets a short-handed goal to put the Sabres up 2-0 in the first period. Nice move to the backhand by Malenstyn.

The Sabres score 44 seconds into the game. Jason Zucker on a feed from Jack Quinn. 1-0 Buffalo.

Looks like Michael Kesselring will be in the Sabres' lineup tonight. He was on a pair with Jacob Bryson in warmups.

Michael Kesselring and Zach Metsa are both on the ice for pre-game warmups. Kesselring is a game-time decision

Some Sabres pre-game reading from Montreal. Jarmo Kekäläinen on the trade deadline, Josh Doan's new contract and more:

Sabres GM Jarmo Kekäläinen asked about being a deadline buyer: "Every day we come to work, grab a cup of coffee and figure out ways to get better. I think that should probably answer your question. Every possibility we’re looking at. We’re going to try to make our team better. "

Lindy Ruff said Michael Kesselring will be a game-time decision. Kesselring said he’s feeling pretty good and thinks he’ll be ready to go.

Sabres lines at morning skate Doan-Thompson-Tuch Zucker-McLeod-Quinn Benson-Ostlund-Helenius Greenway-Krebs-Malenstyn Michael Kesselring working on a pair with Bryson, so he could be in tonight.

Michael Kesselring and Beck Malenstyn are on the ice for the Sabres’ morning skate here in Montreal. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has the net to himself.

Doan deal: The BFHS provides a diversion from Bills drama and discusses the extension, the trickle down, + everything else happening in Sabreland (@matthewfairburn.bsky.social). Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6KRc... YT: youtu.be/oEoC3XIvmHk?...

What are we to make of the Bills' news conference with Terry Pegula and Brandon Beane? @joebuscaglia.bsky.social and I needed to sort through a bunch of it ourselves. We did it in writing so you can go on the magical journey with us. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

What we learned about Sean McDermott’s firing from Bills owner Terry Pegula and football boss Brandon Beane. @joebuscaglia.bsky.social and I collaborate on the top takeaways: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

More on the Sabres locking up Josh Doan on a seven-year contract extension. Important signing for Buffalo at a reasonable number.

Spoke to Josh Doan recently about his desire to remain with the Buffalo Sabres for a long time. Jarmo Kekalainen gets it done:

I can confirm that the Sabres have agreed to a seven-year contract extension with Josh Doan. The deal is worth $6.95 million per year.

Quite the press conference from Terry Pegula and Brandon Beane this morning. In all the commotion, I forgot to let you all know I wrote about the big night Konsta Helenius had in Nashville. Some Sabres thoughts for your lunch break:

The Sabres win 5-3. They built the early lead and survived a comeback push from the Predators. Sabres next play Thursday night in Montreal.

Huge empty net goal from Peyton Krebs to put the Sabres up 5-3 with 1:46 to play.

Beck Malenstyn down in a lot of pain after blocking a shot. Struggled to get to the bench and is going right down the tunnel.

Ryan O'Reilly scores, and the Sabres' lead is now just 4-3.

Sabres fortunate to get into the second intermission with a 4-2 lead. Predators had a hard push toward the end of the period.

The Predators have scored two straight goals to make this a 4-2 game in the second period.

The Sabres take a 4-0 lead on a Tage Thompson goal. Nice set up from Alex Tuch.

Konsta Helenius gets his first NHL goal. Got a shot all alone in the shot and took advantage. The Sabres are up 3-0, and Helenius has three points in the first period.