Blues at Sabres on November 6, 2025: Lineup Adjustments and Goaltending Dilemmas

The St. Louis Blues head to Buffalo on November 6, 2025, looking to snap out of a troubling stretch that has seen them sink to the bottom of the NHL standings. With a 4-8-2 record and an NHL-worst 58 goals against, the Blues are searching for answers after what head coach Jim Montgomery called an “unacceptable” 6-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres enter the matchup with a 5-4-4 record but dealing with their own injury concerns that have depleted their forward depth significantly.

Both teams face critical lineup adjustments as they prepare for this Wednesday evening clash at KeyBank Center. The projected lineups blues vs sabres november 6 2025 reveal significant changes for both clubs, with the Blues expected to turn to Joel Hofer in net following another disappointing outing from their goaltending tandem, while Buffalo continues to navigate through an injury crisis that has sidelined multiple key forwards.

Projected lineups blues vs sabres november 6 2025: St. Louis Blues forward combinations

The Blues’ forward group will feature Pavel Buchnevich alongside Robert Thomas and rookie sensation Jimmy Snuggerud on the top line. This trio has shown flashes of chemistry throughout the early season, with Snuggerud bringing energy and a scoring touch that has been sorely needed. Thomas remains the playmaking hub for St. Louis, though his production has dipped compared to last season’s career year.

The second line will see Brayden Schenn centering Pius Suter and Jordan Kyrou, a combination that offers offensive upside but has struggled defensively during the Blues’ losing stretch. Kyrou’s inconsistent play has been a topic of conversation in St. Louis, as the speedy winger has failed to build on his previous seasons’ success. Coach Montgomery held a full morning skate to address the team’s effort level, signaling that changes could be coming if performances don’t improve.

Dylan Holloway will center Dalibor Dvorsky and Oskar Sundqvist on the third line, representing a mix of youth and experience. Dvorsky, one of the organization’s top prospects, continues to earn opportunities at the NHL level despite the team’s struggles. The fourth line features Alexey Toropchenko, Nick Bjugstad, and Nathan Walker, a physical trio tasked with bringing energy and wearing down Buffalo’s depleted forward group.

The notable absence on this night is Jake Neighbours, who remains sidelined with a leg injury. Neighbours has been a spark plug for the Blues when healthy, and his absence removes another layer of depth scoring that this struggling offense desperately needs. Mathieu Joseph and Alexandre Texier will be healthy scratches, suggesting Montgomery is searching for the right combinations to jumpstart his struggling squad.

Blues defensive pairings and goaltending situation for november 6

The Blues’ defensive structure features Philip Broberg alongside Colton Parayko on the top pairing. Broberg, acquired from Edmonton during the offseason, has shown promise but is still adjusting to his expanded role. Parayko remains the defensive anchor, though his advanced metrics have declined over recent seasons. The pairing will draw the primary assignment against Buffalo’s top line featuring Tage Thompson, Ryan McLeod, and Alex Tuch.

Tyler Tucker and Justin Faulk comprise the second pairing, offering offensive capabilities from the backend. Faulk’s veteran presence has been crucial for a Blues defense corps that has been overrun at times during their recent losing skid. The third pairing of Cam Fowler and Logan Mailloux represents a blend of experience and youth, with Mailloux continuing his development at the NHL level.

The goaltending situation remains the Blues’ most pressing concern. Joel Hofer is expected to get the start after relieving Jordan Binnington in Wednesday’s debacle against Washington. Hofer allowed two goals on 17 shots in relief, hardly inspiring numbers but seemingly enough to earn another opportunity. The Blues have allowed an NHL-worst 58 goals through 14 games, averaging over four goals against per contest—a recipe for disaster regardless of offensive production.

Binnington’s struggles have been well-documented, with the veteran netminder’s save percentage plummeting below acceptable starting goaltender standards. Montgomery faces a challenging decision between two underperforming options, essentially choosing which netminder might give his team the better chance on any given night. For a team that made the playoffs last season, the goaltending collapse has been catastrophic and threatens to derail their entire campaign if not addressed.

Projected lineups blues vs sabres november 6 2025: Buffalo Sabres forward depth chart

The Sabres’ top line features Alex Tuch, Ryan McLeod, and Tage Thompson, a combination that represents Buffalo’s most potent offensive threat. Thompson remains the focal point of the Sabres’ attack, with his unique blend of size and skill making him one of the most dangerous scorers in the league when healthy. McLeod brings speed and two-way reliability through the middle, while Tuch provides physicality and finishing ability on the wing.

Buffalo’s second line will feature young players Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund flanking Jack Quinn. This trio represents the future of the organization, with Ostlund and Rosen both showing promise in their early NHL experience. Quinn, when healthy, has demonstrated scoring ability that could push him into top-line consideration. However, the inexperience of this line could be exploited by veteran opponents.

The third line sees Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs, and Josh Doan taking regular shifts. Greenway’s size and defensive reliability provide stability, while Krebs continues to search for consistency in his third year with Buffalo. Doan, son of former NHLer Shane Doan, brings energy and grit to the lineup. The fourth line consists of Beck Malenstyn, Tyson Kozak, and Josh Dunne, with Kozak expected to return after missing five games with a lower-body injury.

The injury list tells the story of Buffalo’s depth concerns. Jason Zucker and Jiri Kulich are both dealing with illness, while Zach Benson (lower body), Justin Danforth (lower body), and Josh Norris (upper body) remain sidelined. Norris, injured in the season opener on October 9, has begun skating on his own but has no timeline for return. Coach Lindy Ruff emphasized that Benson is being evaluated daily and progressing, but cautioned against expecting an immediate return. These absences force the Sabres to rely heavily on their organizational depth and younger players to step into expanded roles, as demonstrated in their recent lineup adjustments.

Sabres defensive structure and goaltending matchup

Buffalo’s defensive group features one of the league’s most talented young cores. The top pairing of Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin provides a blend of shutdown ability and offensive creativity. Dahlin continues to develop into one of the premier offensive defensemen in the NHL, capable of quarterbacking the power play and jumping into the rush. Samuelsson participated in an optional morning skate after taking Wednesday off from practice, indicating he should be ready for full deployment.

Owen Power and Conor Timmins form the second pairing, with Power’s puck-moving abilities complementing Timmins’ steady presence. Power, the first overall pick in 2021, has shown continued growth in his third NHL season. The third pairing features Bowen Byram alongside Michael Kesselring, both capable of playing up the lineup if needed. Byram brings speed and transition ability, while Kesselring provides size and defensive reliability.

Between the pipes, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start for Buffalo with Alex Lyon backing him up. Luukkonen has been serviceable this season, giving the Sabres a chance to win most nights despite the team’s inconsistent play. His ability to make timely saves will be crucial against a Blues team desperate for offense and confidence.

The defensive matchup favors Buffalo significantly, particularly when considering the Blues’ goaltending woes. While neither team has been dominant defensively, the Sabres at least possess reliable netminding to keep them in games. The gap between Luukkonen and either Blues goaltender could prove decisive in what projects as a relatively low-scoring affair given both teams’ current form.

Key tactical considerations and lineup adjustments

Montgomery’s decision to hold a full morning skate following the Washington defeat signals his frustration with his team’s recent performances. The Blues coach has experimented with line combinations throughout the season, searching for chemistry that simply hasn’t materialized. The bottom of the NHL standings is unfamiliar territory for a franchise that consistently competed for playoff positions in recent years, and the pressure is mounting to find solutions quickly.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff faces his own challenges managing the injury-depleted roster. The promotion of younger players like Ostlund and Rosen into top-six roles represents both an opportunity for development and a potential vulnerability against experienced opponents. Ruff must balance competitive urgency with player development, knowing that these injuries could provide valuable experience for prospects while also risking their confidence if overwhelmed.

Special teams could play a decisive role in this matchup. The Blues’ penalty kill has struggled mightily, allowing opponents too many quality chances while shorthanded. Buffalo’s power play, when healthy, ranks among the league’s more dangerous units thanks to Dahlin’s quarterbacking and Thompson’s net-front presence. If St. Louis continues their undisciplined play, Buffalo could capitalize on power-play opportunities to build an insurmountable lead.

The Blues must find ways to generate sustained offensive pressure while tightening defensively. Their recent pattern of allowing early goals has created an uphill battle in too many contests. Montgomery’s systems emphasize puck possession and transition play, but execution has been lacking. Against a Sabres team missing key forwards, St. Louis should theoretically possess enough firepower to compete if they can maintain structural integrity defensively, similar to the adjustments they attempted in previous matchups.

Game implications and playoff picture perspectives

For the Blues, this game represents more than just two points in the standings. With a 4-8-2 record, they’re staring at the very real possibility of falling so far behind in the playoff race that recovery becomes nearly impossible. November games don’t typically carry desperation-level importance, but St. Louis finds themselves in an early-season hole that demands immediate attention. A loss to another struggling team would further compound their problems and raise serious questions about their roster construction and coaching.

Buffalo enters in slightly better position at 5-4-4, but they too need to establish consistency and bank points while in their current injury situation. The Sabres have faced criticism for years about their inability to take the next step toward playoff contention despite possessing young talent. Every game represents an opportunity to prove they’re different this season, that the core has matured enough to compete night after night.

The Central Division has proven brutally competitive in recent seasons, and the Blues can’t afford to spot their rivals too many points in the standings. Teams like Dallas, Colorado, and Winnipeg have established themselves as perennial contenders, making every point precious for clubs on the playoff bubble. St. Louis must find a way to accumulate points while working through their goaltending crisis, or risk watching the season slip away before Thanksgiving.

Buffalo faces similar urgency in the Atlantic Division, where powerhouses like Florida, Toronto, and Boston typically occupy the top spots. The Sabres need to capitalize on home games against struggling opponents to stay within striking distance of a playoff position. Their young core needs to learn how to win these games—the ones circled as “must-wins” before the season begins. Failures against teams like the Blues only perpetuate the culture of losing that has plagued Buffalo for over a decade.

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The November 6 matchup between the Blues and Sabres presents two struggling franchises searching for answers and momentum. While the projected lineups blues vs sabres november 6 2025 show both teams dealing with injuries and lineup adjustments, the game should provide a measuring stick for where each club truly stands in their respective conferences. St. Louis desperately needs their goaltending to stabilize, while Buffalo must prove they can win games despite missing key forwards. The official NHL preview and detailed lineup analysis both emphasize the importance of this contest for two teams that can’t afford to fall further behind in their playoff pursuits.

For fans of both organizations, patience is wearing thin. The Blues entered the season with playoff expectations following last year’s postseason appearance, but their early-season collapse has raised fundamental questions about the roster’s construction. Buffalo supporters have endured 14 consecutive seasons without playoff hockey, the longest active drought in North American professional sports. Both franchises need their young players to step up, their veterans to provide leadership, and their goaltenders to give them a chance to win. Wednesday night’s game won’t define either season, but it could provide the spark—or deliver another blow—to teams desperately seeking their identity in a challenging NHL landscape.