Buffalo Sabres (0-1-0) at Boston Bruins (2-0-0)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | TD Garden | Boston, Massachusetts
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Boston Bruins
Record: 2-0-0 | 4 PTS
Division Ranking: T1st in Atlantic Division
Last Game: 4-3 Overtime Win vs Chicago
PP: 8th (28.6%) | Sabres Rank: T23rd (0%)
PK: T1st (100%) | Sabres Rank: T1st (100%)
What to Watch
1. It Starts with One
In their second game of the season, the Sabres are still searching for their first goal. Fans are restless to say the least, but the team might feel less pressure to put on a show as the visiting team. The Bruins pose a tough matchup to generate offense. Their revamped lineup is built from the goalie out with a very strong defense. The Sabres need to simplify their game and focus on getting on the scoreboard. Once they get the first one out of the way, they can relax and settle into their game. This season is a turning point, and the entire organization knows it. They can play hard, and control the game, but it doesn’t matter in the end if they can’t score.
2. Next Man Up
One game in and Buffalo’s injury report could field a starting lineup. The loss of Norris is a tough blow for a team that lacks center depth. This creates some opportunities for others to step up. Payton Krebs is a player to watch. He’s had an ill-defined role on this team for years. He will have a chance to show more of his offensive game after being elevated from the 4th line. On the bright side, Owen Power is expected to make his season debut after missing the season opener. His return is huge for Buffalo. He can take some pressure off Dahlin and help jumpstart the offense.
3. Top Heavy
The Bruins have changed immensely over the last couple of years. They only have one third of their feared Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line left but still employ an effective top line. Pastrnak leads the team with 4 points in 2 games, and his linemates, Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie, are second and tied for third on the team respectively. Buffalo needs to slow down this trio to keep the game close while they figure out their offense. Even if they slow them down, expect a big play from one of Mittelstadt, Zadorov, or Jokiharju as former Sabres always seem to do well against Buffalo.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Zucker – Kulich – Thompson
Quinn – McLeod – Tuch
Doan – Krebs – Danforth
Geertsen – Kozak – Malenstyn
Defense
Byram – Dahlin
Power* – Timmins
Samuelsson – Johnson
Starter: Lyon
*Traveled with the team – expected to play
Boston Bruins
Forwards
Geekie – E.Lindholm – Pastrnak
Zacha – Mittelstadt – Arvidsson
Jeannot – Minten – Eyssimont
Khusnutdinov – Kuraly – Kastelic
Defense
Lohrei – McAvoy
H.Lindholm – Peeke
Zadorov – Jokiharju
Starter: Swayman