What happened: The Buffalo Sabres took the lead after breaking a scoreless tie midway through the game. The opening tally put Buffalo ahead as play continued in live regular-season action.

Why it matters: Establishing the advantage gives Buffalo control of game tempo after a tightly contested stretch. Generating offense from close-checking hockey remains critical for the club to dictate possession.

What to watch: Buffalo seeks to protect its narrow margin as the matchup remains in progress.