Nashville Predators Host Buffalo Sabres on January 20: Start Time, Broadcast Options, and Key Context
Matchup overview
The Nashville Predators open a three-game homestand Tuesday night, January 20, hosting the Buffalo Sabres at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time in Nashville, marking the first of two meetings between the clubs this season.
How to watch and follow
Start time: 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET)
Venue: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville)
Follow along: Team-provided live game coverage and in-game updates are available through official club channels during the contest.
Recent form entering the game
Nashville returns home after a demanding road back-to-back that included a win in Colorado followed by a loss in Las Vegas. In the Colorado game, veteran center Ryan O’Reilly recorded a hat trick in a 7–3 Predators victory. The weekend ended with a setback against the Golden Knights, in which Nashville allowed five goals in the third period.
The Sabres arrive for the opener of Nashville’s homestand with momentum of their own, having been among the league’s more successful teams in recent results leading into the trip.
What’s at stake for Nashville
The Predators’ January schedule places a premium on points at home, particularly against an opponent they will see only twice during the regular season. After playing consecutive games on the road, Nashville now has an opportunity to stabilize its play in front of home fans and re-establish consistency across all three periods.
What’s at stake for Buffalo
For Buffalo, the game offers a measuring-stick road test in a Western Conference building and a chance to bank points away from home. The Sabres have shown they can decide close games late against Nashville in recent meetings, including a one-goal result in Buffalo last season.
Recent head-to-head context
The clubs’ last two meetings have been split, with each team winning on home ice. Nashville defeated Buffalo 4–2 in Nashville on March 7, 2024, powered by a Filip Forsberg hat trick. Buffalo responded with a 4–3 win at home on January 31, 2025, with Jiri Kulich scoring twice, including the go-ahead goal late in the third period.
The Predators will look to translate recent high-end scoring performances into a full 60-minute home effort, while Buffalo brings recent success in tight, late-game situations against Nashville.
What to watch once the puck drops
Game management in the third period: Nashville’s most recent road loss featured a decisive third-period swing, making late-game structure a central storyline.
Top-end finishing: O’Reilly’s recent hat trick highlights Nashville’s ability to generate goals when its forwards get to the interior.
Late-game threat: Buffalo’s January 2025 win over Nashville turned on a goal scored inside the final minutes, reinforcing the importance of special teams and defensive detail late.