Game 69
Buffalo Sabres (33-29-6) vs. Boston Bruins (52-11-5)
Puck Drop: 1:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Bruins Blog: Stanley Cup of Chowder
Know Your Opponent
Boston Bruins
Record: 52-11-5 | 109 PTS
Division Ranking: 1st in Atlantic
Last Game: 5-2 Win vs Minnesota Wild
PP: 11th (22.2%)
PK: 1st (85.7%)
What to Watch
1. Defend the House
One of the more puzzling themes from the Sabres season is how poorly they’ve played at home. With only 13 wins in 31 games, only the Ducks and Sharks have fewer home victories. It is a tall task to right the ship against the top team in the league, but Buffalo cannot afford to see any more points slip from their grasp. An advantage Buffalo must utilize is their relatively fresh legs. Boston is coming off a road win against Minnesota less than 24 hours before puck drop at KeyBank Center. The Sabres will need to match the Bruins’ energy early on and try to wear them down as the game goes on.
2. Top Line Rebound
Of the many frustrating aspects of Friday’s Flyers loss, the most surprising was the lack of production from the Sabres top line. It was one of the rare occurrences where Skinner, Thompson, and Tuch were held without a point. They generated plenty of offense and combined for 7 shots, but couldn’t cash in. Even with a tough matchup against the Bruins, expect a bounce back game from the trio. Simplifying their attack and avoiding overpassing will be the key to their success. The Bruins defenders are too good to allow them opportunities to break up scoring chances by attempting to make the perfect play. Buffalo forwards must be decisive when there is an opening and lethal in their execution.
3. Attack the Net
The Sabres will be getting the backup goalie treatment from Boston. Unfortunately, Jeremy Swayman is no slouch. He made 26 saves against Buffalo on 27 shots earlier this month. His goals against average (2.28) and save percentage (.917) rank 4th and 11th respectively among goalies who have played at least 10 games. Buffalo will need to obscure his vision and utilize quick releases to prevent him from properly positioning himself for the save. Look for Sabres power-forwards Greenway and Tuch to establish a net-front presence.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Skinner – Thompson – Tuch
Peterka – Cozens – Quinn
Mittelstadt – Krebs – Olofsson
Girgensons – Jost – Okposo
Defense
Dahlin – Bryson
Power – Jokiharju
Stillman – Lyubushkin
Starter: Luukkonen
Boston Bruins
Forwards
Marchand – Bergeron – Debrusk
Zacha – Krejci – Pastrnak
Bertuzzi – Coyle – Frederic
Lauko – Nosek – Hathaway
Defense
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Lindholm – Carlo
Orlov – Clifton
Starter: Swayman