In a thrilling matchup on January 11, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres emerged victorious against the Anaheim Ducks with a score of 5-3, marking their 13th win in just 14 games. This impressive streak is now the best in the franchise's history and has catapulted the Sabres from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to a playoff position—a significant achievement as they attempt to break a longstanding postseason drought that has lasted for 14 seasons.
The Sabres showcased their offensive prowess with standout performances, including two goals from Jack Quinn and a solid contribution from Tage Thompson, who not only scored a goal but also provided an assist. This victory continues a remarkable trend for Buffalo, as they have won six consecutive home games and are riding high on a three-game winning streak.
In addition to Quinn and Thompson, Bowen Byram and Josh Norris also found the back of the net for the Sabres. Notably, Peyton Krebs and Zach Benson each recorded two assists, while goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 31 saves, securing his fifth win in six starts, which speaks volumes about his rising form in the net.
On the other side, the Ducks managed to score three times late in the third period, with Olen Zellweger, Leo Carlsson, and Mason McTavish all finding opportunities after the Sabres had established leads of three goals on two occasions. Lukas Dostal was in goal for Anaheim, registering 27 saves, but the team still fell short, extending their losing streak to nine games while completing a challenging four-game road trip.
It's worth noting that the Ducks played without their top-line forward Troy Terry, who missed his second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury, which undoubtedly impacted their performance.
Quinn opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, marking his second goal in the last 20 games. The Sabres continued to build momentum, with Thompson adding to the tally midway through the second period—his 22nd goal of the season—thanks to a setup by Josh Doan after an aggressive forecheck.
Byram later equaled his career-high by netting his 10th goal of the season in the third period, courtesy of a precise pass from Thompson. Quinn then struck again shortly after Zellweger broke Buffalo’s shutout with less than five minutes remaining, showcasing the Sabres’ ability to respond quickly to pressure. As the final minutes ticked away, Norris added an empty-net goal, sealing the deal with just 11 seconds left on the clock.
Looking ahead, the Ducks will return home to host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, while the Sabres are set to face off against the Florida Panthers on Monday evening.
