Canucks Take on Sabres in Eastern Road Trip Opener
Buffalo, January 6, 2026 – The Vancouver Canucks, struggling with a three-game losing streak, face the Buffalo Sabres in a crucial NHL matchup at KeyBank Center. This marks the second meeting between the teams this season, following the Sabres’ 3-2 victory in Vancouver on December 11, 2025.
Game Preview
The Canucks (16-20-5) are on a six-game Eastern road trip and will look to snap their skid against a red-hot Sabres squad (21-15-4). Buffalo has won nine of their last 10 games, averaging 3.2 goals per game while allowing just 1.9. Vancouver, meanwhile, has gone 5-3-2 in their last 10, scoring 2.8 goals but conceding 2.7. Key performers include Tage Thompson for the Sabres, who has six goals and five assists over his last 10 games, and Elias Pettersson for the Canucks, with 10 goals and 15 assists this season. No injuries are reported for either team.
Key Facts and Stats
| Team | Record | Goals For/Game | Goals Against/Game | Power Play % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Canucks | 16-20-5 | 2.76 (24th) | 3.46 (30th) | 20.3% (14th) |
| Buffalo Sabres | 21-15-4 | 3.05 (16th) | 3.15 (19th) | 18.0% (22nd) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the game?
The game is scheduled for January 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM EST at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
What was the result of the last meeting?
On December 11, 2025, the Sabres defeated the Canucks 3-2 at Rogers Arena, with goals from Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, and Zach Benson.
Who are the top performers to watch?
For the Sabres, Alex Tuch leads with 11 goals and 20 assists. For the Canucks, Elias Pettersson has 10 goals and 15 assists, while Linus Karlsson has five goals and three assists in his last 10 games.