Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, back, makes a stick save on a shot as defenseman Josh Manson, center, jostles for position with Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch in front of the net in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, drives past Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks to make a glove save in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, back, puts a shot on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, drives with the puck as Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram covers in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood looks on during a time out in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)