Devils at Sabres: Game Preview

Game #3

New Jersey Devils (1-0-0) vs. Buffalo Sabres (0-1-1)

Puck drop: 3:00 p.m. EST | Keybank Center | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG

Radio: WGR 550

SB Nation Devils blog: All About The Jersey

What to Watch

1. Where is the first win?

Buffalo performed very well last Thursday against the Canadiens but spit the bit relatively quickly on Saturday night against the Islanders. Which team will show up on Monday afternoon?

Many hope an angry and rested Sabres team shows up, looking to pull in their first win of the season and the first win of Housley’s professional coaching career.

2. Will the lineup changes spark more depth scoring?

As we saw in Game Two, the O’Reilly line did not bounce back as anticipated. This lack of offensive production lead to a bit of a shake-up in the lines during Sunday afternoon’s practice. Phil Housley swapped centers Ryan O’Reilly and Sam Reinhart in the lineup with the hopes of sparking scoring from multiple lines.

3. Can Eichel and Kane continue their hot starts?

Through two games, Eichel and Kane have combined for three goals and four assists. It is clear that their chemistry from late last season has transitioned over to this season so far.

Will the duo be able to continue their scoring ways? Buffalo hopes so, if their depth scoring drought continues.

Projected Lines

9 Evander Kane - 15 Jack Eichel - 29 Jason Pominville

67 Benoit Pouliot - 23 Sam Reinhart - 21 Kyle Okposo

28 Zemgus Girgensons – 90 Ryan O’Reilly - 25 Seth Griffith

22 Johan Larsson - 10 Jacob Josefson - 26 Matt Moulson

82 Nathan Beaulieu - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen

19 Jake McCabe - 93 Victor Antipin

6 Marco Scandella - 5 Matt Tennyson

Starting Goaltender: 40 Robin Lehner