Predators drop 3-2 decision to Sabres in Buffalo in first game after NHL trade deadline

Buffalo extends winning streak as Nashville begins post-deadline stretch on the road

The Nashville Predators opened their first game after the NHL trade deadline with a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, March 7, at KeyBank Center. The result came as Buffalo continued a surge in the Eastern Conference race, while Nashville began a road-heavy segment of its schedule immediately after roster moves made earlier in the week.

Buffalo built a three-goal cushion before Nashville responded with two goals that tightened the game late. Nashville’s scoring came from Zach L’Heureux and Matthew Wood, but the Predators were unable to find an equalizer before time expired.

Game flow: Buffalo strikes first, Nashville rallies late

Buffalo’s offense was led by Tage Thompson, whose goal extended his point streak to 10 games. The Sabres’ 3-2 win also marked their sixth consecutive victory, reinforcing a post-deadline push that has put Buffalo among the Atlantic Division’s top teams.

Nashville’s comeback effort centered on generating goals after falling behind by three. L’Heureux and Wood supplied the finishing, bringing the Predators within one and forcing Buffalo to defend the lead down the stretch. Nashville ultimately finished one goal short despite late pressure.

Post-deadline context: Predators move out veterans, prioritize draft capital

The game was Nashville’s first since the league’s March 6 trade deadline, following a week in which the Predators completed multiple transactions that signaled a shift toward future assets. Nashville traded forward Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild for a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. The club also traded forward Michael Bunting to the Dallas Stars for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Those deals reshaped depth options and special-teams roles, placing added importance on internal replacements as Nashville moves through the season’s final weeks.

• Nashville: Goals from Zach L’Heureux and Matthew Wood in the loss.
• Buffalo: Tage Thompson extends point streak to 10 games; Sabres win sixth straight.
• Trade deadline: Nashville trades Michael McCarron (to Minnesota) and Michael Bunting (to Dallas) for future draft picks.

With the deadline passed, Nashville’s remaining schedule becomes a test of how quickly new line combinations and expanded roles can translate into results.

What’s next for Nashville

The loss in Buffalo started a stretch of road games for the Predators, with upcoming matchups scheduled in Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg. For a team integrating changes made at the deadline, the trip presents an immediate challenge: producing enough offense to compete nightly while adjusting to a lineup altered by departures.