The Blackhawks vs. Sabres game Saturday sends two winless teams into Buffalo’s home opener at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is 7 p.m. EDT.
Blackhawks vs. Sabres game information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Time: 7 p.m. EDT
- Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Buffalo will hand out commemorative mini banners honoring its 2025-26 Atlantic Division title, according to NHL.com. The game also marks defenseman Bowen Byram’s return to Buffalo, after the Sabres traded him to Chicago.
How Chicago has started
The Blackhawks are 0-2-0. They lost their opener 5-2 at Vegas, with Patrick Kane and Jordan Greenway scoring, the Blackhawks’ recap said. They then lost 6-0 at Utah on Thursday, as covered in our Blackhawks vs. Mammoth preview.
Chicago has scored two goals and allowed 11 in two games. Captain Connor Bedard remains out with a shoulder injury, and forward Andrew Mangiapane is out with a lower-body injury, according to FOX Sports.
How Buffalo has started
The Sabres are 0-1-0 after a 6-3 loss at Columbus on Thursday. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 17 saves in that game, and Buffalo had been hit by injuries, including goalie Alex Lyon and forward Jason Zucker. Our Blue Jackets-Sabres recap has details.
Key matchup to watch
Both teams need a cleaner defensive game. Chicago has allowed 11 goals in two games, and Buffalo allowed six in its opener. Starting goalies for Saturday had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
