New York Islanders (19-13-3) at Buffalo Sabres (15-14-4)
Puck Drop: 5:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, New York
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
New York Islanders
Record: 19-13-3 | 41 PTS
Division Ranking: 4th in Metropolitan Division
Last Game: 4-1 Loss vs Canucks
PP: 25th (15.9%) | Sabres Rank: 15th (20.2%)
PK: 11th (81.8%) | Sabres Rank: 1st (85.4%)
What to Watch
1. Going Streaking
The Sabres enter their matchup against the Islanders with the opportunity to extend their current winning streak. After defeating the Flyers, they secured their first 4 game winning streak of the season. Tage Thompson is also looking for his second 6 game goal streak after notching his 5th in a row on Thursday. The team has finally generated some momentum and must keep it going. Even with their recent improvement, they are tied with Columbus for last in the East. The parity in the conference will make it difficult to climb the latter. They have no time to waste.
2. Star Rookie
The Islanders were the first non-Sabres team to draft a defenseman at #1 overall in the draft since St Louis took Eric Johnson in 2006. Their decision has already paid dividends as Matthew Schaefer has had a great start to his career. He currently sits 3rd among rookies and on the Islanders with 23 points in 35 games (9 goals abd 14 assists). His skating truly sets him apart. He’s a threat to go end-to-end at any time. Slowing him down should be a key component of the Sabres gameplan. The onus is going to be on the forwards to properly angle him off with their forecheck and prevent him from getting a head of steam.
3. Neutral Zone Battle
For years, the Islanders have tormented the Sabres offense by clogging up the neutral zone. Buffalo had lived and died by their rush offense and the Isles were their kryptonite. This iteration of the Sabres has more structure and are less reliant on scoring off the rush. However, if they are careless in the neutral zone, they could still fall victim to the Isles trap defense and counterattack offense. They will need to be careful with the zone exits and entries to negate one of their opponents’ strengths.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Krebs – Thompson – Doan
Ostlund – Norris – Tuch
Benson – McLeod – Quinn
Greenway – Kozak* – Malenstyn
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Byram – Kesselring
Power – Metsa**
Starter: Lyon
*Kozak is Day-to-Day and did not practice Friday. He may be replaced by Dunne.
**May be Bryson.
New York Islanders
Forwards
Drouin – Barzal – Heineman
Lee – Pageau – Holmstrom
Dunclair – Ritchie – Shabanov
Maclean – Cizikas – Gatcomb
Defense
Schaefer – Pulock
Pelech – DeAngelo
Boqvist – Mayfield
Starter: Sorokin