Los Angeles Kings need to gameplan for these 3 Buffalo Sabres

The Los Angeles Kings are preparing for their first regular season game of the year when they play the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night in Buffalo. The season has already begun for the Sabres as they would lose two games to the New Jersey Devils and be out-scored 7-2.

The Sabres own the longest playoff drought in the NHL but they can't be taken lightly as they have some playmakers that can take a game over if given the chance. With that in mind, these are three players in particular that the Kings will need to pay extra attention to.

Los Angeles Kings need to gameplan for these 3 Buffalo Sabres

Tage Thompson

The Sabres will only go as far as Tage Thompson can take them but fortunately for Buffalo, he is a really good goal scorer when given space. He has had at least 29 goals in each of the past three seasons, including 47 in the 2022-23 season.

He has already found the net this year with a goal on six shots on goal against the Devils. The defensive duo of Jordan Spence and Mikey Anderson will need a plan for the big center and if they can limit him, they will really help their chances at a win.

Dylan Cozens

In addition to Thompson, the Kings are going to have to keep a close eye on Dylan Cozens who is an excellent playmaker in his own right. The former seventh overall pick had 31 goals in the 2022-23 season but took a step back last year with only 18 goals and 29 assists.

Cozens struggled against the Devils with eight shots on goal and a +/- of -3 but he is a young player that is still developing and can turn it around in a hurry.

Rasmus Dahlin

The final player is Rasmus Dahlin, their top defenseman and also the captain of the Sabres. The former first overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft is one of the best players at his position currently in the NHL.

Dahlin not only does a good job on defense but is able to pressure teams on the offensive end as he has had three straight seasons with 50+ points and is coming off his first career 20-goal season last year.