Preview: Sabres host Golden Knights in matinee

Game 3

Buffalo Sabres (1-1-0) vs Vegas Golden Knights (1-1-0)

Puck Drop: 3:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG-B

Radio: WGR 550

SB Nation Golden Knights Blog: Knights on Ice

Know Your Opponent

Vegas Golden Knights

Record: (1-1-0) | 2 PTS

Last 10: 1-1-0

Division Ranking: 6th in the Pacific Division

Conference Ranking: 11th in the Western Conference

PP: 29th (0.0%)

PK: 11th (83.3%)

What to Watch

1. Sheary looks to keep it going

Aside from goaltender Carter Hutton, forward Conor Sheary was Buffalo’s best player in Saturday’s win over the New York Rangers. He registered two goals - both on the man advantage - in the 3-1 victory. Sheary is still getting his feet wet with his new team, but as he builds chemistry with his linemates, things can only get better. Oh, and he’s five points away from 100 in his NHL career.

2. Continuing the homestand

The Sabres are kicking off this season with a four-game homestand: a franchise record. So far, fans have been treated to two very different games. Thursday’s game was lackluster and uninspired; Saturday’s game, much better. The homestand closes this coming Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche; Buffalo then heads west for a five-game road trip.

3. Looking for a win

The Sabres are looking for their first-ever win against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights won both games against Buffalo in their inaugural season, with a 5-4 overtime win early last season and a 2-1 shootout victory late in the season.

Projected Lineup

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Conor Sheary- Jack Eichel - Sam Reinhart

Jeff Skinner - Patrik Berglund - Kyle Okposo

Zemgus Girgensons - Casey Mittelstadt - Tage Thompson

Remi Elie - Evan Rodrigues - Jason Pominville

Defense

Marco Scandella- Rasmus Ristolainen

Jake McCabe - Rasmus Dahlin

Nathan Beaulieu - Casey Nelson

Starting Goaltender: Carter Hutton

Vegas Golden Knights

Forwards

Max Pacioretty - Paul Stastny - Erik Haula

Jonathan Marchessault - William Karlsson - Reilly Smith

Tomas Nosek - Ryan Carpenter - Oscar Lindberg

William Carrier - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Ryan Reaves

Defense

Brayden McNabb - Colin Miller

Shea Theodore - Deryk Engelland

Jon Merrill - Nick Holden

Jake Bischoff - Brad Hunt

Starting Goaltender: Marc-Andre Fleury