Overview
- The 8–7 home win over the Lightning vaulted Buffalo into sole possession of the Atlantic Division lead.
- The Sabres are 39-19-6 with 84 points and trail only Carolina in the East, their first late-season division lead in roughly 16 years.
- Since Dec. 9 the team is 28-6-2, with Tage Thompson leading that stretch in points and goals as contributions spread throughout the lineup.
- Goaltenders Alex Lyon (14-2-0, 2.19 GAA, .926 SV%) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (11-3-1, 2.84, .908) have anchored the turnaround.
- An eight-game sellout streak and reports of about a 40% boost in nearby restaurant business reflect the surge’s impact downtown.