The time has come to talk about how the Buffalo Sabres fared against the 2023 Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights have a history. Obviously what comes to mind right away is the Jack Eichel trade. Even though Eichel won the Stanley Cup with his new team, the trade is working out for both sides.
Here is how the Sabres fared against the Golden Knights. The first of two meetings took place in Buffalo in the month of November. It would be the second time Eichel came back to Buffalo since being traded. Buffalo got their revenge on the former captain two seasons ago but this time, roles were reversed.
In the first period, both teams exchanged power play goals. Chandler Stephenson opened the scoring a few minutes into the first period but Tage Thompson scored with a few minutes remaining.
Phil Kessel regained the Knights lead in the second period but Casey Mittelstadt scored on another power play to tie the game back up again. Before the second period came to an end, Vegas got the lead back again.
Alex Pietrangelo and Eichel scored the first two goals of the third period before Thompson made it 5-3 Vegas. Eichel would get his hat trick and the Golden Knights defeated the Sabres 7-4. Jack got his revenge on Buffalo and unfortunately for the Sabres, this loss was during their longest losing streak of the year.
Buffalo Sabres and Golden Knights split yet another series in 2022-23
One month later is when Vegas hosted Buffalo. It was the Sabres final game before the Christmas break and they were looking to sweep the three game road trip they were on.
After a scoreless first period, the Sabres jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the end of the second period thanks to goals from Jeff Skinner, Tage and Lawrence Pilut.
Despite a third period push from Vegas, Buffalo went on to win the game 3-2. Eichel was not playing because of an injury and Ukko Pekka Luukkonen played spectacular to preserve the victory for the Sabres.
(Historical data provided by Hockey-Reference)