Ryan Nugent-Hopkins led the Edmonton Oilers to a crucial 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, scoring two goals and helping his team secure their second consecutive win. With this victory, the Oilers improve their record to 31-15-3, claiming the top spot in the Pacific Division, just ahead of the idle Vegas Golden Knights. Despite missing star forward Connor McDavid due to suspension, the Oilers showcased their depth, with Jeff Skinner also finding the net. The Oilers' Stuart Skinner stood tall in goal, making 39 saves, while James Reimer recorded 31 saves for the Sabres. Alex Tuch and Jiri Kulich scored for Buffalo, who have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games.

The game's pivotal moment came in the third period when Nugent-Hopkins scored the go-ahead goal, demonstrating the Oilers' resilience. Edmonton is looking to build momentum as they prepare for their next match against the Seattle Kraken. Meanwhile, Buffalo aims to bounce back against the Boston Bruins at home. With Mattias Ekholm continuing to impress on defense, the Oilers appear poised for a strong push in the second half of the season.

Tanner Laczynski netted his first goal of the season, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Adin Hill was solid in goal, stopping 23 shots, as Vegas continues to dominate the NHL with a league-high 33 points since November 21. The Golden Knights' record now stands at 16-3-1, placing them at the top of the league with 57 points, overtaking the Winnipeg Jets, who suffered a loss against Detroit.

Mark Stone and Jack Eichel also contributed goals for Vegas, while Tanner Pearson recorded two assists. For Buffalo, Jason Zucker scored the lone goal, with James Reimer making 30 saves in net. The Sabres ended their four-game road trip with a disappointing third consecutive loss, despite having won three straight against the Golden Knights prior to this matchup.

Notably, Stone's goal marked the 600th point of his career, making him the eighth-fastest Canadian player to reach this milestone. The Golden Knights have been particularly strong defensively during their recent stretch, allowing the fewest goals per game in the league, with two or fewer in 14 of their last 20 games. Looking ahead, the Sabres will host the Washington Capitals on Monday, while the Golden Knights will travel to face the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

The Detroit Red Wings are beginning to see a turnaround in their challenging 2024-25 season, but former player James Reimer is struggling significantly. After starting the season with the Buffalo Sabres, Reimer was placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Anaheim Ducks, where he had a disastrous performance, posting a 4.50 goals against average and an .864 save percentage in just two games. He was then waived again and reclaimed by the Sabres.

Currently, Reimer has not started a game since December 21st and has suffered a sub-900 save percentage in his last three appearances. His lone victory in eight games this season reflects a troubling trend, as he carries a 3.04 GAA and an .888 SV%. Last season with the Red Wings, he had a more respectable record, but at 36 years old, this rough patch raises questions about his future in the NHL.

The Buffalo Sabres suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Boston Bruins, marking their 13th consecutive loss. Despite being competitive, a late-game goal by Morgan Geekie sealed their fate. The Sabres were unable to challenge the goal due to a lack of video review grounds, as the contact with goalie James Reimer was deemed incidental.

With the playoffs slipping away, the focus shifts to potential roster changes. Speculations arise about General Manager Kevyn Adams' future and possible trades, particularly with the Philadelphia Flyers, as the trade freeze comes to an end.

Morgan Geekie netted a crucial power-play goal with 1:45 remaining, leading the Boston Bruins to a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. This win marked the Sabres' 13th consecutive loss, a troubling trend for a team that started the season well.

Despite dominating stretches of the game, especially in the second period, the Sabres couldn't convert their efforts into a win. This streak now ranks as the third-longest winless stretch in franchise history.