Buffalo's story so far is about the crease. The Sabres lost 3-6 at Columbus to open the season, then beat Chicago 4-3 in their home opener while outshooting the Blackhawks 28-15. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gave up 3 goals on those 15 shots, and he has a .784 save percentage through 2 games. Alex Lyon and Topias Leinonen are both on injured reserve, so there isn't an obvious veteran to turn to if Luukkonen doesn't steady himself.
The good news for Buffalo is that the skaters have driven play. Against Chicago they came back from 2-0 down on goals from Jack Quinn and Tage Thompson, tied it again on Rasmus Dahlin's first of the season, and won it when Jiri Kulich snapped one short side with 6:40 left. That was Kulich's first goal in nearly a year after blood clots cost him the last 70 games of 2025-26. Thompson had a goal and 2 points that night after being held off the scoresheet in Columbus, and the Sabres look like they'll go as far as he takes them.
Before Dallas arrives, the Sabres host the Minnesota Wild. That result will set the record Buffalo brings into Thursday, and more importantly it will show whether Luukkonen's numbers are a 2-game blip or a real problem. Either way, both clubs get a couple of days off before puck drop, so neither one is in a tired-legs spot.
Puck drop is 7:00 PM ET. It's a simple matchup on paper. Oettinger is the best goalie in this building and coming off a shutout. Buffalo's skaters have outplayed opponents but have little margin when the goaltending leaks. If Luukkonen gets right against Minnesota, this is a coin-flip early-season game between two teams still finding their feet. If he doesn't, Dallas has the one player who can decide it on his own.