Preview: Sabres look to break scoring drought against Hurricanes
The Sabres have been shut out in three straight games and are in the midst of a six-game losing streak
Game 71
Buffalo Sabres (30-31-9) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (38-25-7)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | PNC Arena | Raleigh, NC
TV: MSG-B, FSCR
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Hurricanes Blog: Canes Country
Know Your Opponent
Carolina Hurricanes
Record: (38-25-7)
Last 10: (7-2-1)
Division Ranking: 4th in the Metropolitan Division
Conference Ranking: 7th in the Eastern Conference
PP: 20th (17.3%)
PK: 7th (82.0%)
What to Watch
1. Return of the Jack
As the Sabres look to snap a three-game goal-scoring drought, the return of franchise centerman, Jack Eichel will be extremely helpful. While Eichel was sidelined for two games after being suspended by the league, his importance to the team has been made abundantly clear (as if it weren’t already). At practice this week, Eichel returned to the top line with Jeff Skinner and Sam Reinhart.
2. A tight race in the East
While the Sabres are all but officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Hurricanes are very much in the thick of things as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference. This week, Eichel referenced playing with pride as the season comes to a close. Pride is something that Buffalo appears to be lacking, especially without their captain. We’ll see if that changes against a very hungry Carolina team.
3. Skinner’s personal goal drought
After a white-hot start to the 2018-19 campaign, Jeff Skinner has cooled-off significantly from a goal-scoring standpoint. It’s been 13-consecutive games now where the soon-to-be UFA has been held without a goal. As his representatives continue to negotiate a new deal with the Sabres brass, he’ll try to put together a strong finish to the season.
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner - Jack Eichel - Jason Pominville
Conor Sheary - Evan Rodrigues - Alex Nylander
Tage Thompson - Casey Mittelstadt - Jason Pominville
Grigensons - Johan Larsson - Kyle Okposo
Defense
Matt Hunwick - Rasmus Ristolainen
Brandon Montour - Zach Bogosian
Rasmus Dahlin - Casey Nelson
Starting Goaltender: Linus Ullmark (unconfirmed)
Carolina Huricanes
Forwards
Justin Williams - Sebastian Aho - Nino Niederreiter
Teuvo Teravainen - Jordan Staal - Andrei Svechnikov
Micheal Ferland - Lucas Wallmark - Jordan Martinook
Brock McGinn - Greg McKegg - Warren Foegele
Defense
Justin Faulk - Brett Pesce
Dougie Hamilton - Jacob Slavin
Trevor van Riemsdyk - Haydn Fleury
Starting Goaltender: Curtis McElhinney (unconfirmed)