NSH 3–5 BUF Final · L
Predators/Schedule/Recap Tue, Jan 20, 2026 · 2025-26 regular season
Nashville Predators
NSH · 23-22-4
3–5
FinalL
Buffalo Sabres
BUF · 27-17-5
1ST2ND3RDT NSH 08212114334 BUF 31411118533 goals · shots on goal
First meeting this season — the Predators trail the season series 0–1
NSH 23-22-4 · BUF 27-17-5 · First meeting this season — the Predators trail the season series 0–1

Predators fell to the Sabres

The Predators created the better chances (3.5 to 2.3 expected goals) — and lost 3–5. Juuse Saros allowed 2.7 more goals than expected from the shots he faced.

Who had the better chances

The Predators created the better chances: 3.5 expected goals to 2.3, on 34 and 33 shots on goal.

NSH 3.5 xG · 34 shots BUF 2.3 xG · 33 shots
0
1
2
3
1st 0.6 · 1.1
2nd 1.5 · 0.7
3rd · the swing 1.4 · 0.5
Tap a numbered goal to see how it happened.
Deserve to winReplay this game 100 times with average goalies and the Predators win 68.
NSH 68%BUF 32%

Goals and penalties

8 goals · 5 penalties
← Predators shoot this way Sabres shoot this way →
On net Missed Bigger = better chance 1Goal, numbered to the list
1st period
1
08:11 Noah Ostlund
Konsta Helenius, Rasmus Dahlin · wrist shot, a good chance (14%)
0–1
2
11:45 Noah Ostlund
Konsta Helenius, Owen Power · backhand shot on a rebound, a good chance (22%)
0–2
PEN
13:24 Jason Zucker· Tripping
Killed
2 min
Minor
3
17:24 Konsta Helenius
Peyton Krebs · wrist shot, a low-percentage shot (7%) that found a way in
0–3
2nd period
4
04:20 Tage Thompson GWG
Alex Tuch, Josh Doan · snap shot, a low-percentage shot (7%) that found a way in
0–4
PEN
06:20 Luke Evangelista· Tripping
Killed
2 min
Minor
5
10:09 Ryan O'Reilly EXTRA ATTACKER
Filip Forsberg, Brady Skjei · wrist shot, a good chance (21%)
1–4
6
11:54 Filip Forsberg
Ryan O'Reilly · wrist shot, a low-percentage shot (1%) that found a way in
2–4
PEN
19:43 Jordan Greenway· Holding
Killed
2 min
Minor
3rd period
7
09:30 Ryan O'Reilly
Luke Evangelista, Filip Forsberg · wrist shot, a good chance (11%)
3–4
8
18:14 Peyton Krebs EN
Mattias Samuelsson · wrist shot, into an empty net
3–5
PEN
20:00 Mattias Samuelsson· Roughing
Offsetting
2 min
Minor
PEN
20:00 Ryan O'Reilly· High-sticking
Offsetting
2 min
Minor
Goaltending
−2.7
vs expected
15/19 saves · 4 GA · 1.3 xGA Allowed 2.7 more goals than expected from the shots he faced.
+1.0
vs expected
13/13 saves · 0 GA · 1.0 xGA Stopped 1.0 more goals than an average goalie would have.
Team NSHBUF
Shots on goal
34
33
Expected goals
3.5
2.3
Hits
27
17
Blocks
20
8
Faceoffs
55%
45%
Power play
0/2
0/1
Penalty minutes
4
6
The Predators went 0-for-2 on the power play and killed all 1 Sabres power play.