Game #47
Buffalo Sabres (20-22-4) vs. Anaheim Ducks (15-30-1)
Puck Drop: 10:00 PM EST, Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
TV: ESPN+, Hulu
Radio: WGR-550
Know Your Opponent
Anaheim Ducks
Record: 15-30-1
Last Game: 5-2 Loss to the New York Rangers
Division Ranking: 7th in the Pacific Division
PP Ranking: 21st (18.49%)
PK Ranking: 20th (79.49%)
What to Watch
1) Sabres the Better Team Against the Ducks
The Buffalo Sabres are 23-18-3 against the Ducks all-time and won their last two contests versus Anaheim, including a 7-3 smack down in the Ducks’ home arena on Feb. 15, 2023. Of course, that doesn’t mean Buffalo is guaranteed to prevail in this one, but the Blue and Gold have usually managed to beat bad teams this season.
Anaheim lost 10 of its last 12 games and hasn’t had a victory since Jan. 15, a 5-4 OT win against the Florida Panthers. The Sabres need to pick up all the low hanging points they can, because the team struggles to defeat tough opponents.
2) Skinner’s Anticipated Return
Some good news for Blue and Gold fans is forward Jeff Skinner’s possible return to the ice in the matchup with the Anaheim Ducks. Head coach Don Granato said Skinner practiced in full on Friday and went through the practice “very well.”
Fans would welcome him back to the lineup, because he’s badly needed. No. 53 leads the Buffalo Sabres with 17 goals and is third with 33 points in 38 games. Skinner enjoyed three goals and five assists in his previous five contests.
3) Banged Up Anaheim, Advantage Buffalo?
The Anaheim Ducks have several players on IR, including center Trevor Zegras and left wingers Max Jones and Alex Killorn. The Ducks’ D is also depleted, with defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and (former Sabre) Ilya Lyubushkin both not expected to play.
By comparison, the Buffalo Sabres are relatively healthy. Only defenseman Erik Johnson is definitely out, while forward Jeff Skinner is a possible go. Player health is a big factor in winning games and Anaheim’s weaker lineup could give the visitors a slight edge.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
*Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Casey Mittelstadt – JJ Peterka
Jordan Greenway – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Zemgus Girgensons – Peyton Krebs – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson
Ryan Johnson – Owen Power
Henri Jokiharju – Connor Clifton
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (likely starter), Devon Levi
*Jeff Skinner will be a game-time decision
Anaheim Ducks
Forwards
Adam Henrique – Leo Carlsson – Troy Terry
Frank Vatrano – Mason McTavish – Ryan Strome
Jakob Silfverberg – Isac Lundestrom – Brett Leason
Ross Johnston – Sam Carrick – Bo Groulx
Defense
Cam Fowler – Jackson Lacombe
Uhro Vaakanainen – Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger – Gustav Lindstrom
Goaltenders
John Gibson (likely starter), Lukas Dostal
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