Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres trade second-period goals as Sabres get the winning goal at KeyBank Center

The Nashville Predators left KeyBank Center with a 28-27 record and 2 points after a 3-2 result, while the Buffalo Sabres moved to 38-19 with 3 points. Nashville Predators post-match stats showed the Preds went 1-for-3 on the power play and won 61 percent of faceoffs, while the Sabres finished with 3 even-strength goals.

First period

The Nashville Predators opened with 25 shots in the game and 15 hits, and the Preds ended the first period with 0 goals. The Buffalo Sabres also went scoreless in the first period while recording 24 shots in the game and 20 hits.

Second period

The Preds produced 1 goal in the second period and finished with 4 assists in the game, and Zachary L'Heureux scored on 2 shots in his previous game. Nashville generated 8 power-play shots and 2 power-play assists, and Steven Stamkos had 1 assist in the previous game. The Sabres scored 2 goals in the second period at even strength, and Buffalo’s Alex Lyon earned the win with 23 saves on 25 shots.

Third period

The Nashville Predators scored 1 goal in the third period, and Matthew Wood scored on 3 shots in his previous game. Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros took the loss with 21 saves on 24 shots, and the Preds finished with 20 blocked-shot attempts and 8 takeaways. The Sabres added 1 goal in the third period, and Buffalo finished with a plus-minus of 10 as the winning goal held up.

Nashville Predators vs Buffalo Sabres key moments

The Preds logged 6 penalty minutes on 3 minor penalties and allowed 2 Buffalo power plays, and the Sabres went 0-for-2 with 1 power-play shot. Nashville posted 15 giveaways while Buffalo had 14 giveaways, and the Preds won 38 of 62 faceoffs as the Sabres won 24 of 62 faceoffs.

Nashville Predators vs Buffalo Sabres review

The Preds finished at 8 percent shooting on 25 shots, and the Sabres finished at 12 percent shooting on 24 shots. Nashville recorded 11 blocked shots while Buffalo recorded 17 blocked shots, and the Sabres took the game with even-strength finishing.

Nashville Predators vs Buffalo Sabres final thoughts

The Nashville Predators next game is scheduled at 10:00 PM EDT on 03/10/2026 against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Fans can watch on ESPN+, FDSSO, KHN, and KONG, and share this article with other Preds fans following the road swing.