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Game 23
Buffalo Sabres (14-6-2) vs Montreal Canadiens (11-7-4)
Season Series: 2-0 Sabres
Puck Drop: 4:00 P.M. | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Canadiens Blog: Eyes on the Prize
Know Your Opponent
Montreal Canadiens
Record: (11-7-4) | 26 PTS
Last 10: 4-4-2
Division Ranking: 5th in the Atlantic Division
Conference Ranking: 6th in the Eastern Conference
PP: 24th
PK: 28th
What to Watch
1. Niemi Again
In their last meeting with Montreal, the Sabres orchestrated a third period comeback, beating Carey Price six times on the night en route to on overtime victory. This afternoon, Niemi will get another chance between the pipes in Buffalo. In his first start against the Sabres on October 25, he stopped 38 of 42 shots faced. On the year, the 35-year-old journeyman has struggled, posting a .887 save-percentage in six starts.
2. Pilut Taking Flight?
Hours before their victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, the Sabres announced that the team had recalled Swedish defender, Lawrence Pilut from Rochester. In 15 games with the Amerks this season, Pilut has posted 22 points in 15 games, which places him in a two-way tie for the league lead.
3. Another Thriller?
Both of the Sabres’ games against Montreal this season have been closely contested affairs. As they both continue to jockey for position in a very competitive Atlantic Division, fans at KeyBank Center could be in store for another thriller.
4. Eight in a Row?
The Sabres haven’t won eight games in a row since their historic 10-0 start to the 2006-07 season (which tied a franchise record for most consecutive wins). Today they will try to take another step toward history against a Montreal team that has lost two-in-a-row, cooling-off following an impressive start to the year.
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner - Jack Eichel - Jason Pominville
Conor Sheary - Casey Mittelstadt- Kyle Okposo
Tage Thompson - Vladimir Sobotka - Sam Reinhart
Zemgus Girgensons - Johan Larsson - Evan Rodrigues
Defense
Jake McCabe - Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin - Zach Bogosian
Nathan Beaulieu/Marco Scandella (game time)- Casey Nelson
Starting Goaltender: Carter Hutton (confirmed)
Montreal Canadiens
Forwards
Tomas Tatar - Phillip Danault - Brendan Gallagher
Jonathan Drouin - Max Domi - Andrew Shaw
Charles Hudon - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Artturi Lehkonen
Nicolas Deslauriers - Michael Chaput - Kenny Agostino
Defense
Jordie Benn - Jeff Petry
David Schlemko - Mike Reilly
Xavier Ouellet - Victor Mete
Starting Goaltender: Antti Niemi (Confirmed)