Sabres Fly Into Staples on Halloween Looking to Spook the Kings

The Sabres roll into Los Angeles on Halloween night, and the Kings better not be treating this one lightly. Buffalo's been quietly building something this season, and a Saturday night tilt in LA could be the perfect stage to make a statement. The Kings have been solid at home, but they've also shown a tendency to sleepwalk through games against teams they underestimate—and that's where Buffalo can pounce.

The Sabres' speed game could give LA's defense fits, especially if the Kings come out flat after a long homestand. Buffalo's young core has been clicking, and their transition attack is dangerous when they get rolling. Meanwhile, the Kings rely on that suffocating defensive structure and timely goaltending, but if they get caught in a track meet, this could get dicey.

Special teams might decide it. The Kings' power play has been inconsistent, while Buffalo's penalty kill has been opportunistic going the other way. If the Sabres can stay disciplined and capitalize on their chances, they've got a real shot to steal two points in a building where visitors don't win often.

DarkHorse hasn't dropped a pick yet, so you're flying blind on the official line. But this one smells like a closer game than the odds might suggest. Don't sleep on the Sabres.