In a highly anticipated matchup, the Buffalo Sabres are gearing up to take on the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center tonight, March 20, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET. With both teams eager to secure a vital win, the projected lineups have been released, offering insights into key player adjustments and injury implications.
The Buffalo Sabres' projected lineup for tonight features several key players aimed at elevating the team's performance. Among them are JJ Peterka, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch. Peterka's return is particularly notable as he had been sidelined due to a lower-body injury for the last three games. His presence on the ice is expected to boost the team’s offensive capabilities significantly.
However, the Sabres will also be managing several injuries. Zach Benson is dealing with illness, Josh Norris is out with an undisclosed injury, and Jiri Kulich is positioned out due to a concussion. These absences could impact the team's overall strategy as they look to remain competitive in this crucial matchup. The absence of these players adds to the challenges faced by Coach Lindy Ruff, who must navigate the current lineup to maximize his team's effectiveness.
On the other side, the Utah Hockey Club is rolling out its own strategic adjustments. Their lineup features standout players such as Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Nick Schmaltz. An exciting change for the team is the return of Mattias Maccelli, who will be entering the lineup for the first time since February 8, 2025. Maccelli had been a healthy scratch for the past 13 games and his re-entry is expected to reinvigorate the offense.
Injuries are also a concern for the Utah Hockey Club. Robert Bortuzzo is confirmed to be sidelined with a lower-body injury. His absence will test the team's defensive depth and could impact their ability to contain the Sabres' attacking forwards. As head coach Mike Sullivan prepares his team for tonight’s contest, managing the lineup effectively will be critical to their success against a strong opponent.
The Sabres’ lineup tonight looks as follows: JJ Peterka, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Brett Murray, Ryan McLeod, Jason Zucker, Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, Beck Malenstyn, Tyson Kozak, Sam Lafferty, Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, Jacob Bryson, Owen Power, Connor Clifton, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and James Reimer. Jacob Bernard-Docker has been scratched from the lineup.
With the match starting in just a few hours, both teams are fine-tuning their strategies while dealing with the realities of injuries and player returns. The Sabres and the Utah Hockey Club will undoubtedly bring their A-game, making this a must-watch for fans eager to see how these changes will play out on the ice.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching intently to see how the Sabres adapt to the high-pressure situation with a partially depleted squad. Each team’s performance tonight may also play a crucial role in shaping the remainder of their seasons as they vie for better standings in the league.
In summary, as the showdown at Delta Center approaches, it becomes clear that both the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Hockey Club are motivated to leverage every advantage possible. For the Sabres, the return of key players like JJ Peterka is a glimmer of hope amid their injury woes, while the Utah Hockey Club’s reinforcements like Maccelli may provide the spark they need to clinch a win. All eyes will be on the ice tonight to see which team emerges victorious in this crucial face-off.
