Sabres Start Season Strong Behind Quinn, Power
Buffalo enters November at 7-4-3 with 17 points, buoyed by Jack Quinn's October scoring and Owen Power's overtime winners.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Hockey
The Buffalo Sabres entered November with a 7-4-3 record and 17 points after winning three straight games. The team overcame deficits of at least two goals in four of its first 14 games.
Why it matters
Buffalo's early start shows a team capable of rallying from deficits and holding opponents in check on special teams. For Buffalo fans, the strong opening suggests the club can contend in the Atlantic Division.
Buffalo held a 65.2% share of expected goals with Zach Benson on the ice at five-on-five, while the penalty kill sits at 68.6% compared with 81.9% last season. Whether these early rates will hold over a full schedule remains unclear given the small sample.
The players
Jack Quinn
Buffalo Sabres forward who has been the team's leading October scorer this season.
Owen Power
Buffalo Sabres defenseman whose two overtime goals and nine assists have made him a key contributor.
Zach Benson
Buffalo Sabres forward who recorded nine primary assists and posted a 65.2% expected goals share at five-on-five.
The details
Jack Quinn scored eight goals in October and averaged 19:16 of ice time. Owen Power averaged 26:39 per game and contributed 11 points, with both of his goals coming in overtime. Conor Timmins returned to practice after missing the opening stretch with a lower-body injury.
Timeline
October 2025: Quinn had three goals in the month.
November 4, 2026: Buffalo hosts Ottawa to open a four-game homestand.
Season Trajectory
Buffalo's 7-4-3 start follows a pattern of rallying from early deficits that has defined its opening stretch. The penalty kill's drop from last season's 81.9% to 68.6% so far is the key figure that could shift the club's standing in the division.
Fans tracking fantasy rosters will note Quinn's October scoring and Power's 11 points as early indicators. The four-game homestand starting November 4 gives Buffalo a chance to build on its three-game winning streak at home.
The takeaway
Early-season rallies and special-teams numbers can shift quickly, so readers should watch whether Buffalo's penalty kill and Quinn's scoring rate hold through the upcoming homestand.
What happens next
Buffalo opens a four-game homestand against Ottawa on November 4, 2026, which will test whether the early form holds.
Further reading
Follow the latest Sabres developments in our Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
