Game 7
Buffalo Sabres (4–1–1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (2–4–1)
Puck Drop: 10 PM (7 PM PDT) | Honda Center Anaheim, CA
TV: MSG-B, BSSC
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Ducks Blog: Anaheim Calling
Know Your Opponent
Anaheim Ducks
Record: (2-4-1)
Last Game: 4-3 loss vs. Winnipeg
Division Ranking: 7th in the Pacific Division
PP: 21st (28.6%)
PK: 13th (84.6%)
What to Watch
1. Do the Sabres Extend Their Winning Streak?
One game is not much of a streak, but the Buffalo Sabres did manage to beat the defending Stanley Cup champions the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1 during their last game. Anaheim has lost four in row with their latest defeat courtesy of the Winnipeg Jets. The Sabres, (and their long-suffering fans) hope Buffalo will be able to make that five in row and add two more points to the Blue and Gold’s win column. Coach Don Granato’s discipline and practice strategy continues to be a difference maker in recent matchups.
2. Will Injuries Play a Factor?
The Anaheim Ducks have three players on injured reserve. Forward Max Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will be unable to play for 4 to 6 months. Jones may not even return to Anaheim’s roster this season. Center Ryan Kesler, who hasn’t played for the Ducks since Mar. 6, 2019, underwent hip resurfacing surgery and told Adam Kimelman of NHL.com that his NHL career is over. Forward Mason McTavish was injured on Oct. 18th with a lower body injury. McTavish, unlike Kesler and possibly Jones, should play again soon, but is not expected to be back on the ice until Nov. 2nd.
The Sabres have seven players on IR. Forward Cody Eakin and defenseman Matthias Samuelsson, who initially might have been cleared to play against the Ducks, will have to wait a little longer. Eakin is going on the road with the team, but won’t play against the Ducks, while Samuelsson is completing his rehab with the Amerks, according to Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat. With both teams missing some of their on-ice athletes, injuries may affect the game’s final outcome.
3. Odds Out West
Chris King of WinnersandWhiners.com feels the betting odds are in the Sabres’ favor. The Sabres are a different team than past ones so far this season with a better winning record. They’ve shown a level of grit and determination that they lacked under former coach Ralph Krueger. Anaheim enjoys a 5-4-1 advantage over the Sabres in their last 10 meetings and beat Buffalo the most recent time they played, with a 3-2 win on Feb. 9, 2020. However, the two franchises haven’t faced each other in almost 19 months and Buffalo has averaged three goals per game or 15th in offense compared to the Ducks’ 2.86 average points or 17th. The Ducks tend to wilt under pressure while the Sabres continue to battle through all three periods of hockey.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner – Dylan Cozens – Vinnie Hinostroza
Rasmus Asplund – Tage Thompson – Victor Olofsson
Anders Bjork – Arttu Ruotsalainen – John Hayden
Drake Caggiula – Zemgus Girgensons – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Will Butcher
Jacob Bryson – Colin Miller
Robert Hagg – Mark Pysyk
Christian Wolanin
Starting Goalie: Craig Anderson
Anaheim Ducks
Forwards
Richard Rakell – Trevor Zegras – Adam Henrique
Max Comtois – Ryan Getzlaf – Troy Terry
Sonny Milano – Jacob Silfverberg – Isaac Lundestrom
Nicolas Deslauriers – Benoit – Olivier Groulx – Sam Carrick
Defense
Jamie Drysdale – Hampus Lindholm
Josh Manson – Cam Fowle
Kevin Shattenkirk – Simon Benoit
Starting Goalie: Anthony Stolarz