The Buffalo Sabres appear to have turned a corner with a four-game winning streak, notably highlighted by a physical altercation in their recent match against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Defenseman Dennis Gilbert's fight with Mathieu Olivier sent a clear message to the league, reflecting the team's desire to protect their star player, Tage Thompson, following a previous dirty hit against him by Stefan Noesen of the New Jersey Devils.

Olivier acknowledged the necessity of the fight, stating it was essential to ensure the Sabres did not target his team in retaliation. This moment of grit may well signify a shift in the Sabres' culture, emphasizing their determination to stand up for themselves on the ice.

Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, renowned for his skill and aggressive playstyle, faced criticism following a controversial incident during a game against the Buffalo Sabres on January 9. Tkachuk delivered a dangerous hit to Jason Zucker, who was unsuspecting and turned away. Despite the severity of the hit, Tkachuk received only a two-minute minor penalty for charging.

The incident resulted in Zucker being helped off the ice, but fortunately, he returned to play later. Tkachuk’s actions sparked a confrontation with Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert, who sought to challenge him to a fight, yet Tkachuk declined.

The Buffalo Sabres are set to take on the Washington Capitals tonight, aiming to halt a three-game losing streak. Facing the Capitals, the current leaders of the Eastern Conference, presents a formidable challenge for the Sabres.

In a shake-up of their lineup following the defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Sabres have made notable changes. While the first line remains unchanged with Jason Zucker, Dylan Cozens, and Tage Thompson, the second line sees Ryan McLeod stepping up as the center, accompanied by wingers JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch. Additionally, the third line features Kulich as the center, with Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs on the wings, while Jack Quinn has been reassigned to the fourth line.

Defensively, Owen Power is paired with Connor Clifton in the second pairing, while Henri Jokiharju returns to play alongside Mattias Samuelsson on the third pairing. Dennis Gilbert will serve as the extra defenseman.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a challenging period as their captain, Auston Matthews, is set to miss at least two upcoming games due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old center has already been absent for the last two matches, including a recent game against the Detroit Red Wings, and is expected to sit out the home game against the Washington Capitals as well. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube mentioned that while Matthews is 'doing better,' no specific details about the injury were disclosed, with another update anticipated soon.

Matthews last appeared on the ice during a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, where he managed to score a goal within 19 minutes of play, despite enduring significant hits, including a cross-check from Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert. This season has been challenging for Matthews, as he has missed 11 out of 35 games, including nine in November due to a prior upper-body issue, which Berube hinted is somewhat related to his current condition.

Despite his injury woes, Matthews has accumulated 23 points this season, comprising 11 goals and 12 assists, ranking fourth on the team. He is known for his prolific scoring ability, having led the NHL with a record 69 goals last season and aiming for his sixth consecutive 40-goal season. Since being drafted first overall by the Maple Leafs in 2016, Matthews has scored the most goals in the league, totaling 379. Notably, the Maple Leafs have a strong track record in games without Matthews, winning seven out of nine earlier this season and boasting an all-time record of 42 wins against 22 losses in his absence.

Auston Matthews will be sidelined for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their upcoming games against the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals due to an upper-body injury. This marks the third consecutive game he will miss. Coach Craig Berube confirmed that while Matthews is showing improvement, he will not be participating in the next match. The team plans to provide updates on his recovery as necessary.

Matthews, who serves as both the center and captain for the Maple Leafs, had previously missed nine games last month due to a similar upper-body issue. He had returned to action on November 30 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he showcased his resilience by scoring and playing significant minutes despite sustaining hits during the game. His current injury raises questions about its relation to previous injuries, but specifics remain undisclosed.

This season, Matthews has accumulated 23 points in 24 games, contributing to the team's strong performance. He has demonstrated consistent scoring ability, leading the league with 69 goals last season and maintaining a high goal tally since entering the NHL. The Maple Leafs have managed to perform well without him, boasting a record of 7-2-0 in his absence last month.