BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Mattias Samuelsson #23 of the Buffalo Sabres tussles with Gage Goncalves #93 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Mattias Samuelsson #23 and Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres defend against Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Josh Norris #9 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Pontus Holmberg #29 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against Logan Stanley #64 of the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Josh Doan #91 of the Buffalo Sabres lines up for a faceoff during the first period of an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Zach Benson #6 of the Buffalo Sabres defends against Nick Paul #20 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)