Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres: preview, form and head-to-head

Minnesota Wild
Buffalo Sabres

UpcomingNHL · Puck drop

Buffalo Sabres host Minnesota Wild (NHL) on October 6, 2026. Here is how both teams arrive: recent form, the season so far, past meetings and the latest team news.

Start your 7-day free trialGet the app · Google Play

then from $4.99/mo billed yearly

FREE PREVIEW

Read the full preview free for 7 days →

Matchup edge

Even on form: both teams went 2-3 in their last 5 games.

Recent form: last 5

Minnesota Wild: 2 wins and 3 losses in the last 5, with 15 goals scored and 16 conceded.

Minnesota Wild
Oct 2, 2026at Nashville PredatorsW3–1
May 14, 2026 · last seasonat Colorado AvalancheL3–4
May 12, 2026 · last seasonvs Colorado AvalancheL2–5
May 10, 2026 · last seasonvs Colorado AvalancheW5–1
May 6, 2026 · last seasonat Colorado AvalancheL2–5

Buffalo Sabres: 2 wins and 3 losses in the last 5, with 19 goals scored and 20 conceded.

Buffalo Sabres
Oct 1, 2026at Columbus Blue JacketsL3–6
May 18, 2026 · last seasonvs Montreal CanadiensL2–3
May 17, 2026 · last seasonat Montreal CanadiensW8–3
May 14, 2026 · last seasonvs Montreal CanadiensL3–6
May 12, 2026 · last seasonat Montreal CanadiensW3–2

Results before kickoff, newest first.

Head-to-head

In the last 2 meetings on record, Minnesota Wild won 1, Buffalo Sabres won 1.

Jan 17, 2026 · last seasonBuffalo Sabres4–5Minnesota Wild
Nov 30, 2025 · last seasonMinnesota Wild2–3Buffalo Sabres

Season so far

Minnesota Wild are 5th of 32 on win rate after 1 game (1-0).

Buffalo Sabres are 20th of 32 on win rate after 1 game (0-1).

#TeamPWLGoals
5Minnesota Wild1103:1
20Buffalo Sabres1013:6

Team news

Minnesota Wild

  • Brock Faber (D): Injured Reserve, skull. Faber underwent a procedure to repair his fractured skull and is without a timetable to return, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. (ESPN, Sep 29, 2026)
  • Filip Gustavsson (G): Injured Reserve, hip. Gustavsson (hip) was placed on injured reserve Monday, according to Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News. (ESPN, Sep 28, 2026)

Buffalo Sabres

  • Blackhawks D Bowen Byram to miss homecoming against Buffalo Sabres because of a family matter — (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill ruled out top defenseman Bowen Byram from playing at Buffalo on Saturday night because of a… (Yahoo Sports, Oct 3, 2026)
  • Alex Lyon (G): Injured Reserve, upper body. (ESPN, Oct 1, 2026)
  • Conor Timmins (D): Injured Reserve, lower body. Timmins (lower body) doesn't have a timeline for his return yet, according to Heather Engel of NHL.com on Tuesday. (ESPN, Sep 29, 2026)

Headlines gathered October 3, 2026 from the outlets named. Third-party reporting, not verified by SportAnalyst.

What the full preview covers

  • Key factors: the matchups and numbers that shape this game.
  • Player form: recent output from the players who matter most.
  • Team news: injuries and availability from the latest reports.
  • Analyst chat: ask follow-up questions about this game (All-Access).
Start your 7-day free trialGet the app · Google Play

then from $4.99/mo billed yearly

GET IT ONGoogle PlayCOMING SOONApp Store