Sabres are finally back on the ice tonight after just over two weeks off
Sabres back tonight when they host the Islanders
Game 11
Buffalo Sabres (4-4-2) vs. New York Islanders (6-4-3)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | Key Bank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Islanders Blog: Lighthouse Hockey
Know Your Opponent
New York Islanders
Record: (6-4-3)
Division Ranking: 3rd in East Division
PP: 15th (21.4%)
PK: 12th (81.8%)
What to Watch
1. Hockey is Back!
The last time the Sabres were on the ice was a little over two weeks ago. They’re back on the ice tonight against the Islanders. The Sabres sit five points behind the Islanders in the standings in the East Division going into tonight. However, a Sabres win puts them ahead of the Isles in points percentage.
Points percentage is what we should watch until it becomes clear every team in the division will play 56 games this season.
2. Getting Players Back
After getting Rasmus Dahlin and Taylor Hall back from the Covid-19 protocol over the weekend, three more players joined the team at the skate this morning. Jake McCabe, Brandon Montour, and Tobias Rieder returned to the team.
All three are game-time decisions tonight, but Rieder may be the only one that does return to the lineup after the two defensemen stayed out for extra after practice.
3. Reinhart Game-Time Decision
Sam Reinhart is another player that is a game-time decision tonight. He practiced over the last few days but wasn’t on the ice this morning. Head coach Ralph Krueger said he’s working through a minor injury and is “very very confident” he could still play tonight.
Projected Lineup
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner - Jack Eichel - Victor Olofsson
Taylor Hall - Eric Staal - Rasmus Asplund/Sam Reinhart
Tobias Rieder - Cody Eakin - Kyle Okposo
Steven Fogarty - Riley Sheahan - Tage Thompson
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin - Colin Miller
Matt Irwin - Henri Jokiharju
Brandon Davidson - Will Borgen
Jake McCabe - Brandon Montour (likely out)
Starting Goaltender: Linus Ullmark
New York Islanders
Forwards
Anders Lee - Mathew Barzal - Josh Bailey
Michael Dal Colle - Brock Nelson - Jordan Eberle
Leo Komarov - JG Pageau - Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Defense
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Nick Leddy - Scott Mayfield
Andy Greene - Noah Dobson
Starting Goaltender: Ilya Sorokin