What happened: Buffalo shut out the San Jose Sharks 2-0 on Tuesday to snap a losing skid while continuing a front-office search for roster upgrades after missing out on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck prior to his move to the New Jersey Devils. Following that deal, Buffalo approached the Detroit Red Wings regarding center Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade after the season and recently expanded his approved destination list, per Expected Buffalo's Chad DeDominicis.

Why it matters: Although neither the Sabres nor the Montreal Canadiens currently sit on Larkin's approved trade list, Buffalo previously explored the trade market for center help and holds the young center depth Detroit covets in Noah Ostlund, Konsta Helenius, and Jiri Kulich. Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen faces a choice between parting with one of those young prospects or offering established roster forwards Josh Norris or Ryan McLeod, while the Devils also loom as a dark-horse contender for Larkin after adding Hellebuyck and with Quinn Hughes potentially joining his brothers in Newark next summer.

What to watch: Talks between Buffalo and Detroit hinge on whether Kekalainen is willing to include Ostlund, Helenius, or Kulich and whether Larkin will waive his trade protection for the Sabres alongside former Olympic teammate Tage Thompson.