The Buffalo Sabres head into their March 20, 2025, matchup against the Utah Hockey Club looking to snap out of a difficult stretch that has seen them struggle both offensively and defensively. With a record of 26-33-6, Buffalo has fallen out of serious playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, but they still have an opportunity to salvage some pride and build momentum for the future. However, their road performances have been a major concern, as they hold a dismal 9-19-3 record away from home. They will need to overcome these road struggles to have a chance against a Utah team that has been solid on home ice. From a betting perspective, the Sabres have been a poor choice against the spread recently, covering in only 14.3% of their games in March. This lack of consistency makes them a risky team for bettors, particularly in matchups where they are facing disciplined and structured opponents like Utah. Buffalo’s biggest challenge this season has been offensive inconsistency. While they have talented players like Jack Quinn, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tage Thompson, the team has struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure. The Sabres are averaging just 2.68 goals per game, ranking them in the bottom third of the league. Quinn has been one of the few bright spots, showing improvement in recent weeks, including a four-game assist streak that has highlighted his playmaking ability. However, outside of Quinn, Buffalo has lacked a consistent scoring threat. Tage Thompson, who was expected to be the team’s offensive leader, has been in a prolonged scoring slump, failing to find the back of the net in six of his last seven games. If the Sabres hope to compete with Utah, they will need Thompson and the rest of their top-six forwards to step up and create more high-danger scoring chances. Defensively, Buffalo has been equally problematic. The loss of Rasmus Dahlin to injury earlier in the season severely impacted the team’s structure, and while he has since returned, the Sabres’ defensive unit remains shaky. They have allowed an average of 3.41 goals per game, which ranks them among the worst in the NHL. Defensive breakdowns, missed assignments, and inconsistent goaltending have plagued them throughout the season. Goaltender Devon Levi has struggled in net, with a save percentage hovering around .900 and a goals-against average above 3.10. While Levi has had moments of brilliance, he has not received enough defensive support, often facing a high volume of shots due to Buffalo’s inability to clear the defensive zone effectively.

Against a Utah team that has shown an ability to capitalize on defensive mistakes, the Sabres must tighten up in their own zone to avoid another lopsided defeat. One area that has particularly hurt Buffalo this season has been special teams. Their power play has been inefficient, converting at a rate below 18%, making it one of the least effective in the league. The Sabres have had trouble setting up quality scoring chances and maintaining sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Utah’s penalty kill has been strong, which could make it difficult for Buffalo to get any momentum with the man advantage. On the other side, Buffalo’s penalty kill has been a glaring weakness, operating at just 75%, well below the league average. Utah has a power play unit that, while not elite, has proven capable of taking advantage of weak penalty-killing teams. If Buffalo takes unnecessary penalties, it could be a major factor in the outcome of the game. From a historical perspective, the Sabres have already lost once to Utah this season, falling 5-2 in their first-ever meeting back in December. In that game, Buffalo was outplayed in nearly every facet, allowing Utah to control the pace of play and create numerous scoring chances. This game represents a chance for the Sabres to exact some revenge, but they will need a much better performance if they hope to avoid another defeat. The trends, however, do not favor them. Utah has covered the spread in 60% of their last five games, while Buffalo has done so in just 14.3% of theirs. If Buffalo cannot find a way to generate more offense and shore up their defensive weaknesses, they could be in for another long night in Salt Lake City. For the Sabres, this game is more about pride than standings. They are unlikely to make a serious playoff push at this point, but a strong finish to the season could set a positive tone heading into the offseason. Their young core, including players like Quinn, Thompson, and Dahlin, remains promising, but they need to show more consistency. If Buffalo can limit their defensive mistakes, get a solid goaltending performance from Levi, and capitalize on any scoring opportunities, they could make this a competitive game. However, if they continue their recent struggles, Utah is well-positioned to take advantage and complete the season sweep over the Sabres. Regardless of the outcome, this game will serve as another test for Buffalo as they look to prove they can still compete despite their disappointing season.