Buffalo Sabres (17-22-5) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (18-20-8)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 18-20-8 | 44 PTS
Last Game: 4-2 Loss vs. Seattle Kraken
Division Ranking: 7th in Metropolitan Division
PP: 25.6% (6th)
PK: 79.2% (16th)
What to Watch
1. Protect the Lead
Too many times have the Sabres blown a lead this season. Whether they have been up by multiple goals or just one, this seems to be one of the consistent monkeys on their backs. They did it as recently as their game against the Kraken – which ended in a 6-2 loss – and again in this week’s game against Carolina. While they were able to come out with a victory against the ‘Canes, Buffalo began the game with a 3-0 lead heading into the third period and made it too close for comfort as the clock wound down in the final 20 minutes. Making matters worse, this pattern is happening a lot on home ice. If Buffalo gets on the scoreboard first, they need to stop the opposition from walking all over them and into the back of UPL’s (or whoever is goaltending) net and ramp up the pressure in the opposite zone.
2. Even Steven
In terms of their records, these two teams are pretty evenly matched as both are struggling for win streaks this season. However, each team’s last few games have gone a bit differently. While the Sabres have won three out of their last four matchups, the Penguins are on a three-game skid, looking to steal back a wild card spot after a tough January so far. The latter will certainly be playing desperate tonight, so the Sabres will need to protect their home ice and not only get on the board first, but maintain momentum. One notable player that can easily make this happen is most definitely Ryan McLeod, who earned his first career hat trick against the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Head Coach Lindy Ruff slid him into the coveted top center spot over Dylan Cozens, which is much deserved. McLeod is now one away from his 100th career point.
Other honorable mentions that can help the Sabres get some pucks into the net are Rasmus Dahlin – who has 12 assists in his last 10 games – as well as Jack Quinn who, though started at a glacial offensive pace this season, has picked it up as of late with three goals in the last three games.
3. Let History Repeat Itself
In their last three games against the Penguins, the Sabres have done well with a 2-0-1 record. Buffalo has also collected at least eight points in their last 10 matchups against Pittsburgh and, as a team, has tallied over 30 shots on goal in eight successive games against the Pens – currently the longest streak in the NHL. Incidentally, the visiting team has been working through some goaltending woes, which can be another advantage for the Sabres. Tristan Jarry has been sent down to the AHL, allowing Alex Nedeljkovic to get the nod tonight. Nedeljkovic has a 7-7-0 record so far this season with a 3.40 GAA.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Tage Thompson
JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Peyton Krebs – Jack Quinn
Beck Malentsyn – Tyson Kozak – Sam Lafferty/Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Mattias Samuelsson – Connor Clifton
Goaltenders: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (expected tonight, but did not participate in Thursday’s practice), James Reimer
Pittsburgh Penguins
Forwards
Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting – Evgeni Malkin – Cody Glass*
Drew O’Connor – Kevin Hayes – Philip Tomasino
Anthony Beauvillier – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
*Glass has been day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Defense
Marcus Pettersson – Kris Letang
Matt Grzelcyk – Erik Karlsson
Owen Pickering – P.O. Joseph
Goaltenders: Alex Nedeljkovic (confirmed), Joel Blomqvist (Tristan Jarry currently on waivers)