Game 16 Preview & Open Thread: Sabres vs. Utah Mammoth

Buffalo Remains Undermanned, Facing 3 Games in 4 Nights

Buffalo Sabres (5-6-4) vs Utah Mammoth (9-7-0)

Puck Drop: 9:00 pm Eastern | Delta Center | Salt Lake City, Utah

TV: MSG, ESPN+

Know Your Opponent

Utah Mammoth

Record: 9-7-0 | 18 PTS

Last Game: Lost to the Sens, 4-2

Division Ranking: 5th in the Central

PP: 16.3% 25th (Sabres 17.4% 23rd)

PK: 79.1% 16th (Sabres 89.6% 1st)

What to Watch

1) 5 Wins in 15 Games

It’s just not good enough. Right now the Sabres are on pace for about 29 wins on the season. Everything is a struggle for this skeleton crew of a team. But even the players who have been untouched by the Grim Reaper of injury and sickness are still underperforming. Some of that is due to being surrounded by fill-in players. Some of it is the lack of intestinal fortitude these Buffalo players seem burdened with. The Hockey Gods are mean kids, each with a magnifying glass, taking out Sabres’ ants gleefully. They are being extra cruel right now.

Somebody better step up soon and lead by example because they will remain mostly short handed for the forseeable future. As you know by now, Sabres forward Jiri Kulich will miss “significant time” due to a blood clot. We wish him well but a speedy return is not likely, it could be months or more. Head Coach Lindy Ruff said it was “pretty serious.” Meanwhile, Jason Zucker has a dangerous viral infection that has him very ill. Ruff said that Zucker has “Undergone a lot of tests and still isn’t doing that well.” He won’t make the roadtrip. There was discussion of Zach Benson maybe returning soon but he looks to remain a week or more out. Of course, Rasmus Dahlin is not with the team now either as he attends to personal matters.

2) Not Even Close

At no point this season has Buffalo ever had a full lineup. They were missing UPL and Greenway on opening night, then proceeded to lose Norris that same game. It’s been a rollercoaster roster even since. Some nights they were down five players, then got it back to three, only to shoot up to six men out. Right now, there are technically only three injured players. Norris, who remains out long term. Benson, who is getting close to returning for the second time and Danforth, who still has weeks more out. But the problem balloons to six Sabres missing in action with Kulich and Zucker’s health and Dahlin’s leave of absence. It’s one thing after the other, a neverending loop of misfortune this season. Seriously, what else could we pile on at this point? I’m reminded of this classic scene from My Cousin Vinny.

3) Mammoth Undertaking

You guys, again? Buffalo’s depleted lineup will have to face Utah for the second time in a little over a week. The Mammoth have lost 3 straight since beating the Sabres in OT, so they will be ready to go. The Blue and Gold will face either Karel Vejmelka in goal who shut them down last time or Vitek Vanecek, who is 12-2-1 against Buffalo in his career. I swear, we should trade for that guy just so we don’t have to face him anymore.

After a mini burst of offense in the third against Carolina, more will be needed from Tage and Tuch this game. They were both non-factors for much of that contest. Doan, Quinn, McLeod and the Amerks will be needed as well. The 4th line has been doing their defensive job pretty well but they are past due for chipping in a few goals. Not to mention Power and Byram back on D. They both need to contribute offensively with Dahlin’s absence.

Colten Ellis will get a game on this roadtrip, according to Ruff. With 3 games in 4 nights, I expect each goaltender to get one start. Unless somebody absolutely dazzles in net.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Tage Thompson – Ryan McLeod – Alex Tuch
Isak Rosen – Noah Ostlund – Jack Quinn
Jordan Greenway – Tyson Kozak – Josh Doan
Josh Dunne – Peyton Krebs – Beck Malenstyn

Defense

Mattias Samuelsson – Owen Power
Bowen Byram – Conor Timmins
Jacob Bryson – Michael Kesselring

Goalies: Ukko Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, Colten Ellis

Utah Mammoth