October 10 (1)

The Buffalo Sabres continue their five-game homestand against the Utah Mammoth at KeyBank Center on Saturday.

Both teams will be looking to rebound from uneven losses. The Sabres dropped their most recent game 4-0 at home against Dallas on Thursday while the Mammoth lost 6-1 in Boston.

Starting fast will be an emphasis for the Sabres, who are 2-2-0 but have fallen behind in the first period of each of their first four games. The slow starts haven’t been for a lack of opportunity; the Sabres rank fifth in NHL in 5-on-5 scoring chances per 60 minutes.

“Our starts have to be better,” coach Lindy Ruff said postgame on Thursday. “We have to start putting the puck in the back of the net early.”

The puck drops at 7 p.m. Here’s what you need to know in the meantime.

How to watch

TV (Sabres broadcast market): MSG (Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.)

Streaming (Sabres broadcast market): DAZN

Streaming (out of market): ESPN+

Radio: WGR 550 / Buffalo Sabres App

More ways to watch/listen to Sabres games

Lineup notes

The Sabres did not practice on Friday, so check back following the 10:30 a.m. morning skate for lineup updates.

Scouting the Mammoth

20261010 ATH Stats

Utah had one of the NHL’s hottest offenses to start the season prior to its misstep in Boston on Thursday.

The Mammoth scored four or more goals in each of their first three victories and, through four games, their power play was operating at a 61.5-percent clip (8-for-13). Nick Schmaltz opened the season on a four-game goal scoring streak.

Against the Bruins, the Mammoth went 0-for-7 on the power play and 1-for-4 on the penalty kill.