Buffalo Sabres Draw First Blood in the Shootout as Seattle Kraken Come Up Empty at KeyBank Center

The Buffalo Sabres moved to 45-21 with 3 points, while the Seattle Kraken went to 32-29 with 2 points, as Buffalo earned a 3-2 shootout decision at KeyBank Center. The Buffalo Sabres vs Seattle Kraken recap started with Seattle holding a 34-36 shots edge in a game that ended with Buffalo scoring 2 shootout goals on 2 attempts and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posting 32 saves on 34 shots.

First period

The Sabres left the opening period without a goal despite finishing the night with 36 shots and a 52 percent faceoff win rate on 59 draws. The Kraken opened the scoring in the first period as part of a 34-shot night and an even-strength line that produced 2 goals on 29 even-strength shots.

Second period

The Sabres answered in the second period with 1 goal and later finished 1-for-3 on the power play with 4 power-play shots, a key special-teams swing in this post game analysis. The Kraken matched that push with 1 second-period goal and ended 0-for-4 on the power play despite generating 5 shots with the extra skater.

Third period

The Sabres added 1 third-period goal and closed regulation with 27 hits and 6 takeaways, staples in the game-changing plays Buffalo Sabres vs Seattle Kraken. The Kraken kept the game level by holding Buffalo to 2 goals on 36 shots in regulation while recording 14 hits and 6 takeaways of their own.

Overtime

The Sabres produced 3 overtime shots while the Kraken recorded 0 overtime shots, and the game stayed tied with no overtime goals. Luukkonen’s line finished with 5 shorthanded saves for Buffalo, while Seattle’s goaltending line ended with 34 saves on 36 shots as the Buffalo Sabres vs Seattle Kraken result analysis turned toward the skills contest.

Shootout

The Sabres went 2-for-2 in the shootout while Luukkonen stopped 2-for-2 to seal the win, and the Kraken finished 0-for-2. Buffalo’s listed stars after the game were Luukkonen, Peyton Krebs, and Jack Quinn, with Krebs credited with 1 goal and Quinn recorded with 1 assist in the provided team summary.

The Sabres are scheduled to host the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York on 7:00 PM EDT on 2026-03-31, with viewing options listed as ESPN+, MSG-B, and MSGSN2. Catch that broadcast, then circle back for more Sabres coverage, and share this article with other Blue and Gold fans.