Minnesota Wild (26-13-9) at Buffalo Sabres (21-15-4)
Puck Drop: 12:30 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, New York
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Minnesota Wild
Record: 26-13-9 | 61 PTS
Division Ranking: 3rd in Central Division
Last Game: 6-2 Loss vs Jets
PP: 11th (22.3%) | Sabres Rank: 21st (19.4%)
PK: 26th (76.7%) | Sabres Rank: 5th (83.3%)
What to Watch
1. Set the Tone
This has been a long week for the Sabres. After dropping a divisional game against Florida on Monday, they rebounded with wins in back-to-back nights including on the 05-06 reunion night. They wrap up their week with the Wild who are the 6th best team in the league. It’s a tough matchup for their 4th game in 6 days, but this team has shown an ability to rise to the occasion.
They also have an opportunity to set the tone for their fans on a huge Buffalo sports day. The Sabres players are conscious of the Bills playoffs game at 4:30. If Buffalo can get off to a good start, they might unlock some tailgate style energy within the building. That could go a long way in combating any fatigue from the week.
2. Weakened Wild
The Wild visit Buffalo without some key players in their lineup. Yesterday, Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek were placed on injured reserve. Boldy is set to miss the next 4 games at least. Zach Bogosian and Jonas Brodin are also on IR.
Despite their injuries, Minnesota is still an excellent team. Kaprizov is still a danger to take over a game, and they have added Quinn Hughes since the Sabres last saw the Wild. Buffalo will need to play a disciplined game and let their depth overpower their opponent’s depleted lineup.
3. In Tage we Trust
Tage Thompson has taken his game to another level. In the 7 games since he was named to the American Olympic roster, he has 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points. He also carries a 6-game point streak into this game. He leads the Sabres in goals (25) and points (49) on the year.
With Josh Norris out, Thompson will undoubtedly get the toughest defensive matchup from the Wild. However, Tage has shown to be uncontainable when he’s on his game. If he can keep his heater going, the odds look good for the Sabres to end this week on a high note.
Projected Lineups
*Projected lineups subject to change
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Benson – Thompson – Tuch
Zucker – McLeod – Quinn
Ostlund – Krebs – Doan
Greenway – Kozak – Malenstyn
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Byram – Power
Bryson – Metsa
Starter: Luukkonen
Minnesota Wild
Forwards
Kaprizov – Yurov – Zuccarello
Johansson – Hartman – Tarasenko
Foligno – Sturm – Aube-Kubel
Trenin – Jones – Pitlick
Defense
Hughes – Faber
Middleton – Spurgeon
Hunt – Spacek
Starter: Gustavsson