Alex Tuch Hat Trick Fuels Sabres Win Over Kings

BUFFALO NY -- Buffalo continued one of the most impressive runs in the NHL on Thursday night as Alex Tuch recorded the fourth hat trick of his career and goaltender Alex Lyon set a franchise record in a 4 to 1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center.

Tuch scored three times to raise his season total to 22 goals, reaching the 20 goal mark for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in his career.

The performance highlighted Buffalo’s offensive depth and reinforced the team’s growing confidence as it improved to 20 wins in its last 24 games, one of the best stretches in the league over that span.

Lyon turned in a season high 37 save performance to earn his 10th straight victory, breaking the Sabres franchise record previously held by Gerry Desjardins since December 1976. Lyon’s consistency has become a stabilizing force during Buffalo’s surge, particularly against playoff caliber opponents like Los Angeles.

Buffalo took control early. Tuch opened the scoring on a power play at 7:14 of the first period when his shot deflected off the skate of Cody Ceci and slipped past Darcy Kuemper. Mattias Samuelsson made it 2 to 0 later in the period with his first goal in several weeks, giving the Sabres a commanding start.

Tuch struck again at 6:29 of the second period, deflecting a shot from Bowen Byram to extend the lead to 3 to 0. Adrian Kempe responded for Los Angeles with a power play goal 1:18 later, briefly shifting momentum, but Buffalo’s structure and goaltending prevented further damage. Tuch completed the hat trick with an empty net goal in the final minute to close the scoring.

Los Angeles entered the night riding a three game winning streak and had earned points in six straight games, but struggled to generate sustained offense at even strength. Kuemper finished with 28 saves as the Kings were held to a single goal for the first time during their current road trip.

The latest result carries meaningful impact for both teams outlooks. Buffalo’s balanced scoring and elite goaltending stretch have elevated it firmly into postseason contention and strengthened internal competition within the roster. Tuch’s production continues to justify his role as a core piece of the Sabres long term plan, while Lyon’s run may influence near term decisions in the crease as the schedule tightens.

For Los Angeles, the loss underscores the importance of special teams efficiency and shot volume against top defensive structures, particularly as the Kings navigate a demanding portion of their calendar.

Next steps see the Kings traveling to Philadelphia on Saturday as they look to reset defensively, while the Sabres return home to host Montreal on Saturday night with an opportunity to extend one of the NHL’s most consistent recent runs.