3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 6-3 Win Over the Sharks – The Hockey Writers –
The Buffalo Sabres were riding high coming into Tuesday’s tilt with the San Jose Sharks. How could they not be after a Game of the Year candidate against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday? Riding the emotional high that only a victory like that can bring, it would have been easy to fall flat against the Sharks.
Instead, the Sabres continued their dominant run with an eighth consecutive victory. It wasn’t all pretty but the Sabres electrified the home crowd once again with their 6-3 win over the Sharks.
Jack Quinn Continues His Resurgence
One guy who really doesn’t get enough credit for the kind of season he is having is Jack Quinn. Much maligned in recent years, Quinn has seemingly found his role as a middle-six contributor rather than a top-line scorer.
He went off against the Sharks, recording his first NHL hat trick in the midst of a four-point night. He showed impressive chemistry with linemates, and that vaunted finishing ability was front and center for the crazed KeyBank Arena crowd.
He has already set career highs in assists (28) and points (43) while tying his career best in goals (15) with 17 games yet to play. Just as impressive is his plus-nine rating while logging the second-most average ice time of his career. Stick taps to Quinn for adapting and being versatile in his role for the Sabres.
Welcome to Buffalo, Logan Stanley!
Tuesday night marked the debut of recent trade acquisition Logan Stanley. He was in the press box on Sunday against the Lightning, seemingly chomping at the bit to get down on the ice and muck it up with his new teammates.
Related: NHL Morning Recap – March 11, 2026
He didn’t waste very much time getting home crowd going, fighting the Sharks’ Zack Ostapchuk with less than five minutes to go in the opening frame. It was his highlight of the night as he played just under 16 minutes of uneventful hockey.
While that might sound like an indictment, it really is an upgrade for the Sabres. The bottom pairing had been playing 10 minutes or fewer virtually every night. Being able to put out a duo that can eat 15 minutes and take pressure off the big four is a win for the Sabres.
On an Unreal Offensive Run
The Sabres have been on an absolute heater coming out of the Olympic break, especially in the opposing zone. How hot have they been? How about 31 goals in their last six games, including eight in the unreal win over Tampa Bay.
The Sabres are now tied for fourth with the aforementioned Lighting in terms of goals per game at 3.51. They are getting contributions from all throughout the lineup, as evidenced by Beck Malenstyn’s highlight reel goal in the second period.
One of the things that is making the Sabres so successful right now is that they can attack you with four lines and four defensemen. The Sabres have nine players right now with at least 35 points – the most in the NHL. When you play the Sabres, you have to be ready to face an entire lineup that can score.
A Certified Wagon
After a generation of embarrassing struggles, the culture has changed in Buffalo. The Sabres are on a generational run, taking on all comers and emerging victorious. The fans have been waiting for this for far too long and have responded by making KeyBank Center one of the toughest places in the league to play.
There is no telling where this run will go or how it will end but it is the kind of season that the Buffalo faithful will remember for a long time to come. It took longer than anticipated but the Sabres are now a force to be reckoned with.
