This article was originally published on www.si.com as Sabres Take First Lead of NHL Season by Scoring the Most Improbable Goal.

Could the Flyers acquire high-upside defenders like Owen Power or Bowen Byram? The Sabres' situation presents a dynamic opportunity for Philadelphia's blueline overhaul.

The Buffalo Sabres are still searching for their first win of the 2025-26 season. It's been a bit of a rough stretch for Buffalo so far. But they are trying to close out a win on Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators. Unfortunately, they will be without a key depth forward for the remainder of the contest.

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

One week is too small a sample size to judge an entire season. Here are some overreactions from early in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Jack Quinn gave Buffalo the lead for the first time this season with a shot that missed the net and still went in, and the Sabres had two more power-play scores and a short-handed goal to beat the Ottawa Senators 8-4 on Wednesday night for their first victory.

As has been the case a lot recently, the Buffalo Sabres entered opening night with hopes that this might be the year they end their lengthy playoff drought. Then the puck dropped, and a shutout defeat at the hands of the New York Rangers brought a very familiar feeling.

The Buffalo Sabres opened the season 30th in the NHL on faceoffs, at 41.6% and faced the Ottawa Senators, who lead the league in faceoff percentage (65.3%), on Wednesday at KeyBank Center.

The Montreal Canadiens could soon be in the market for an in-season move, and Elliotte Friedman believes that Buffalo's Tage Thompson could become available.

The Buffalo Sabres are in the midst of the NHL's longest playoff drought, but soon their fans will have a chance to enjoy an exciting, new concession option.

Sabres' Lindy Ruff hints at scratching former 1st-round pick amid terrible start to season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Buffalo Sabres are on the longest playoff drought in the NHL.