Sabres Edge Kings 3-2 at Crypto.com Arena
Tage Thompson's power-play goal with 6:20 left gave Buffalo a win over Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Hockey
The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Kings fell to 4-7-2 on the season after winning four straight Halloween games.
Why it matters
The loss extends Buffalo's run of dominance over Los Angeles, as the Sabres have now beaten the Kings four straight times, both overall and at Crypto.com Arena. It also completes a Buffalo sweep of the three California teams.
Buffalo scored its first goal 11 seconds into a power play, and Anton Forsberg stopped 28 shots for the Kings while Luukkonen made 27 saves for Buffalo. Tage Thompson has seven points across the two-game stretch, and the Sabres have won four straight against Los Angeles.
The players
Buffalo Sabres
The NHL franchise based in Buffalo, New York, which won the game with a power-play goal and a sweep of the three California teams.
Los Angeles Kings
The NHL franchise based in Los Angeles that has had a 4-7-2 start to the season.
Tage Thompson
The Buffalo Sabres center who scored the winning power-play goal with 6:20 remaining.
The details
Corey Perry and Andre Lee each scored their first goals of the year for the Kings, which were not enough to hold off Buffalo. Martin Chromiak made his NHL debut in the game, and Adrian Kempe missed practice Friday and did not play Saturday.
Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 31: Sabres defeat Kings 3-2 at Crypto.com Arena.
Nov. 4: Kings face the San Jose Sharks after the break.
Season Trajectory
The loss snaps a four-game Halloween winning streak for the Kings and leaves them at 4-7-2 as they head into a break before facing the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 4. For a team still early in its season, the defeat adds pressure to right the ship before the standings tighten.
Fantasy managers tracking Tage Thompson should note his seven points across the two-game stretch and his winning power-play goal. Kings fans should watch whether Adrian Kempe returns to the lineup after missing Saturday's game.
The takeaway
The Sabres' power play proved decisive, and Buffalo's late goal shows how a single special-teams opportunity can settle a close game between two teams.
What happens next
The Kings return from their break to face the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 4.
Further reading
For more on the Kings' season, see Hockey coverage across the league.
