In a thrilling contest, the Buffalo Sabres edged past the Ottawa Senators 3-2, highlighted by Tage Thompson's decisive goal early in the third period. This victory marked a significant milestone for head coach Lindy Ruff, who achieved his 600th win with the franchise, becoming only the second coach to reach this feat with a single team.

Jack Quinn and Jacob Bernard-Docker also found the back of the net for Buffalo, while James Reimer made a notable contribution, stopping 30 shots. The Senators, despite power-play goals from Brady Tkachuk and David Perron, faltered in maintaining their early leads, now facing a challenge to secure a playoff spot amidst stiff competition in the Eastern Conference.

The Winnipeg Jets faced an unexpected defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, losing 5-3 despite dominating most of the game. Jets head coach Scott Arniel praised the team's offensive effort but acknowledged the standout performance of Sabres goalie James Reimer, who recorded 33 saves. The Jets' backup Eric Comrie struggled, stopping just 12 of 16 shots, as Buffalo capitalized on their opportunities with goals from Ryan McLeod and others, even after being outshot overall.

Buffalo's scoring was highlighted by a power-play goal and effective plays from hometown players, creating a challenging night for Winnipeg. Despite the loss, the Jets remain on the brink of clinching a playoff spot with just one point needed. Colin Miller and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets, but their efforts fell short against a well-organized Sabres defense and key saves from Reimer.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins led the Edmonton Oilers to a crucial 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, scoring two goals and helping his team secure their second consecutive win. With this victory, the Oilers improve their record to 31-15-3, claiming the top spot in the Pacific Division, just ahead of the idle Vegas Golden Knights. Despite missing star forward Connor McDavid due to suspension, the Oilers showcased their depth, with Jeff Skinner also finding the net. The Oilers' Stuart Skinner stood tall in goal, making 39 saves, while James Reimer recorded 31 saves for the Sabres. Alex Tuch and Jiri Kulich scored for Buffalo, who have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games.

The game's pivotal moment came in the third period when Nugent-Hopkins scored the go-ahead goal, demonstrating the Oilers' resilience. Edmonton is looking to build momentum as they prepare for their next match against the Seattle Kraken. Meanwhile, Buffalo aims to bounce back against the Boston Bruins at home. With Mattias Ekholm continuing to impress on defense, the Oilers appear poised for a strong push in the second half of the season.

Tanner Laczynski netted his first goal of the season, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Adin Hill was solid in goal, stopping 23 shots, as Vegas continues to dominate the NHL with a league-high 33 points since November 21. The Golden Knights' record now stands at 16-3-1, placing them at the top of the league with 57 points, overtaking the Winnipeg Jets, who suffered a loss against Detroit.

Mark Stone and Jack Eichel also contributed goals for Vegas, while Tanner Pearson recorded two assists. For Buffalo, Jason Zucker scored the lone goal, with James Reimer making 30 saves in net. The Sabres ended their four-game road trip with a disappointing third consecutive loss, despite having won three straight against the Golden Knights prior to this matchup.

Notably, Stone's goal marked the 600th point of his career, making him the eighth-fastest Canadian player to reach this milestone. The Golden Knights have been particularly strong defensively during their recent stretch, allowing the fewest goals per game in the league, with two or fewer in 14 of their last 20 games. Looking ahead, the Sabres will host the Washington Capitals on Monday, while the Golden Knights will travel to face the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.