Game 37
Buffalo Sabres (20-11-5) vs Anaheim Ducks (19-13-5)
Season Series:
10/21 – Sabres 4, Ducks 2 (complete coverage)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Ducks blog: Anaheim Calling
Know Your Opponent
Anaheim Ducks
Record: (19-13-5) | 43 points
Last 10: 7-3-0
Division Ranking: 3rd in the Pacific Division
Conference Ranking: 6th in the Western Conference
PP: 25th (14.7%)
PK: 16th (79.5%)
What to watch for
1. Ducks Rejuvenated
In the last meeting between these two teams, the Ducks entered the contest with a record of 5-2-1. Their loss to the Sabres on home ice would be the second of five losses in six games for a team that appeared to be collapsing early-on. Despite dropping their last two decisions, Anaheim had won nine of their previous 10 games prior. As they jockey for position in a tight Western Conference, they’ll be eager to leave Western New York with two points.
2. Broken Wings
The Ducks have managed to remain competitive despite injuries to several key contributors. Corey Perry, Cam Fowler, Rickard Rakell, Ryan Miller and Kevin Bieksa all remain sidelined with various ailments. We’ll see how their depth holds up as they close out their Eastern Conference road-trip tonight ahead of a much-need holiday break.
3. Gibson a Vezina Candidate (Thus Far)
Goaltender John Gibson will likely get the nod in net tonight. Surely Sabres fans would have liked to see former-Sabre Chad Johnson between the pipes against his old team, but since Gibson already got a rest on 12/18, he’ll be the guy. With a save-percentage of .926 and 15 wins on the season, he’s fifth in the NHL in both categories (among goalies with at least 15 starts). After facing a red-hot Braden Holtby last night, the Sabres will need to find a way to solve another one of the league’s top netminders.
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Conor Sheary – Vladimir Sobotka – Evan Rodrigues
Zemgus Girgensons – Casey Mittelstadt – Kyle Okposo
Remi Elie – Johan Larsson – Tage Thompson
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Zach Bogosian
Lawrence Pilut – Rasmus Ristolainen
Marco Scandella – Jake McCabe
Starting Goaltender: Linus Ullmark (unconfirmed)
Anaheim Ducks
Forwards
Pontus Aberg – Ryan Getzlaf – Ondrej Kase
Andrew Cogliano – Ryan Kesler – Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie – Adam Henrique – Daniel Sprong
Kiefer Sherwood – Carter Rowney – Brian Gibbons
Defense
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Montour
Jacob Larsson – Josh Manson
Josh Mahura – Jake Dotchin
Starting Goaltender: John Gibson (unconfirmed)