Overview
- Colten Ellis stopped 23 shots to record his second career shutout and Olen Zellweger scored the game‑winner early in the second period with Zach Benson adding an empty‑net goal late for the 2‑0 final.
- Yaroslav Askarov faced a heavy workload and made 38 saves, keeping San Jose in the game even as the Sharks failed to convert several high‑quality chances.
- San Jose entered the game reshuffling lines after Alexander Wennberg and Igor Chernyshov were ruled week‑to‑week, and rookie Ivar Stenberg drew top‑line minutes that did not spark the offense.
- The loss extended the Sharks' poor start to the season with one regulation win in 13 games and marked Buffalo's eighth win in the last nine meetings between the clubs.
- The Sabres snapped a three‑game winless stretch and continue relying on timely defenseman scoring and goaltending while their forwards work toward more consistent production.