Sabres vs. Oilers | How to watch, lineup notes, and storylines

The Buffalo Sabres return to KeyBank Center on Monday, looking to build upon Saturday’s come-from-behind victory in Detroit.

The Sabres erased a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Red Wings in overtime, ending a five-game winless streak (0-4-1). Tage Thompson made the play that won the game, shoving forward Alex DeBrincat off the puck near the Detroit net and setting up Mattias Samuelsson in the slot.

“I think it was just desperation,” Thompson said postgame.

Buffalo will aim to carry that mentality into its four-game homestand, which opens tonight against the Edmonton Oilers. The Sabres have earned at least a point in seven of their last eight home games (5-1-2).

Monday’s game will be Native American Heritage Night at KeyBank Center, featuring the first of three “Community Artist Series” collaborations between the Sabres and the AKG Buffalo Art Museum. Commemorative jerseys featuring a logo designed by renowned Seneca artist G. Peter Jemison will be available for auction from the start of the game until Sunday, Nov. 23 at 9 p.m. with proceeds benefiting Western Door Hockey.

• What to expect on Native American Heritage Night

The puck drops at 7 p.m. Here’s what you need to know.

How to watch

TV (Buffalo broadcast market): MSG (Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.)

Streaming: Gotham Sports App, ESPN+ (out of market)

Radio: WGR 550 / Buffalo Sabres App

More ways to watch/listen to Sabres games

Lineup notes (updated 6:35 p.m.)

Buffalo received a boost to its defense corps on Saturday with the return of Rasmus Dahlin, who came back from a personal leave of absence and skated a team-high 25:38 with two assists.

The defense also sustained a loss in Detroit, with Michael Kesselring exiting the game due to a lower-body injury. He was placed on injured reserve and is still being evaluated, and Zach Metsa was recalled from Rochester (AHL) as another right-shot option.

“Obviously going to be a little bit of time for [Kesselring]; I don’t have a timeframe yet,” coach Lindy Ruff said.

• Injuries and transactions | Zucker, Norris participate in morning skate

Here are the lines from warmups. Colten Ellis will make his third start in four games.

Samuelsson’s shutdown role

Samuelsson’s overtime goal marked the continuation of a strong offensive start for the 25-year-old defenseman. His three goals are one shy of his single-season career high, while his seven points have him halfway to his 62-game total from last season.

Yet the defensive zone is where Samuelsson has continued to do his best work – and why he’ll be a factor against the Oilers’ top talents. Samuelsson leads Sabres defensemen in hits (23) and all Sabres players in blocked shots (39). Both of those numbers are in part a credit to his role anchoring the NHL’s best penalty kill.

But Samuelsson has also done his part to suppress scoring chance as 5-on-5. The Sabres have out-chanced opponents 127-115 in that area with Samuelsson on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick.

“Really since day one, Samuelsson’s play has been very good,” Ruff said last week. “His penalty killing has been outstanding, his physicality has been good. … He’s been a difference maker for us.”

Scouting the Oilers

The two-time reigning Western Conference champions have produced inconsistent results as they’ve embraced a young supporting cast around their superstar duo at forward. They received a boost from a familiar face on Saturday, with former 50-goal scorer Zach Hyman making his season debut in an overtime win in Carolina.

The production from those aforementioned superstars has been consistent. Connor McDavid ranks second in the NHL with 30 points; Leon Draisaitl is tied for second in the league with 13 goals. They lead one of the NHL’s most lethal power plays, operating at a 31.4-percent clip.

Stuart Skinner has had the hot hand in net of late, having won his last three starts (all in overtime). He’s coming off a 33-save performance in the 4-3 win over the Hurricanes on Saturday.