Sabres vs. Stars: 4/15/26 – Game Reactions/Recap

Yet another regular season ending with a meaningless game for the Buffalo Sabres…except this year, for the first time in 15 years, it’s because we already clinched a playoff spot and won the Atlantic Division to guarantee home ice through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Half our lineup is sitting out tonight to rest in preparation for the first round starting on Saturday against the Bruins. I was a bit surprised to see the Stars playing a good chunk of their top guys tonight though.

In a meaningless game tonight to end the regular season, with both teams having their matchups in the playoffs clinched, the Sabres lost 4-3 in a shootout in a pretty fun game at home to the Stars.

The Stars opened the scoring just 2:19 into the game with Mavrik Bourque putting a rebound into the empty goal with Colton Ellis completely out of position. Who cares. Josh Norris answered back with 7:12 left in the first with a nice one timer top shelf, off a beautiful back hand pass on the zone entry from Zach Benson. Pretty good period there for the shorthanded Sabres.

Benson got out on a breakaway, 3:32 into the third and beat Oettinger five hole, short handed to make it 2-1 Buffalo. The Stars answered right back less than a minute later, with Esa Lindell having one go off Logan Stanley’s skate to tie it up. Alex Tuch, who I’m surprised is even playing tonight scored an incredible goal with 8:52 left, sneaking the puck at a super low angle into the net to make it 3-2 Sabres. What a goal for his 200th of his career, from behind the goal line. With four minutes left, Justin Hryckowian tied it again for the Stars at 3, entering the zone on a two on one with Jamie Benn and firing it five hole past Ellis. Decent second period that was fun to watch.

After a scoreless third period, onto overtime. The Sabres couldn’t score on a 4 on 3 power play in OT, and it’s onto a shootout to end the season.

Josh Norris went first in the shootout and scored. Jason Robertson answered with a goal for Dallas. Jack Quinn stayed automatic, scoring again for the Sabres. Mikko Rantanen, another guy I didn’t expect to play tonight missed the net. With the game on his stick to end the regular season, Alex Tuch got his shot saved by Oettinger. Matt Duchene needed to score to keep it going, deked out Colton Ellis and scored on the backhand. In extras, Josh Doan got stuffed by Oettinger, then Wyatt Johnston won it for Dallas. Who cares.

FINAL: Sabres 3, Stars 4 (SO)