Game 71
Buffalo Sabres (33-32-5) vs. Edmonton Oilers (41-21-4)
Puck Drop: 9:00 PM EDT, Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
TV: MSG-B, SNW, ESPN+
Radio: WGR-550
Know Your Opponent
Edmonton Oilers
Record: (41-21-4)
Last Game: 3-2 Win against the Montreal Canadiens (OT)
Division Ranking: 2nd in the Pacific Division
PP Ranking: 26.40% (4th)
PK Ranking: 80.19% (13th)
1) Oilers the Better Record Against the Sabres
The Edmonton Oilers have the better overall record against the Sabres, with Buffalo being 31-43-10 versus Edmonton all time. However, the Blue and Gold beat the Oil in two of their last four meetings, including the most recent contest on March 9.
The Sabres can defeat the Oilers, who, while they’re a very good team, are not an opponent that’s gotten into Buffalo’s head. If the visitors play a similar game the way they did against the Seattle Kraken, the Sabres can leave Rogers Place with two points. A lackluster effort like the Vancouver loss obviously won’t cut it.
2) Stay Out of the Box
The Oilers are one of the league’s best teams with the man advantage, ranking an NHL-4th on power plays. The Sabres are relatively okay at killing off penalties, 17th on the PK as of this writing.
However, Buffalo shouldn’t give the Copper and Blue any unnecessary scoring chances. The Oilers have a strong depth with forwards such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who know how to find the back of the net. The Sabres can’t afford any dumb penalties that could lead to goals.
3) UPL Back in Net
Sabres’ goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukonen is the likely starter against the Oilers. He’s enjoyed a great 2023-24, with a much-improved .915 SV% and 2.39 GAA. Last year, his stats were .892 and 3.61, respectively.
With no more back-to-back games the rest of season, it makes little sense for head coach Don Granato to keep backup Devon Levi on the road with the Sabres and not send him back to Rochester. UPL is much sharper and experienced at blocking shots and taking away scoring chances, something Buffalo will need against an aggressive Edmonton offense.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Zemgus Girgensons – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jordan Greenway – Peyton Krebs – Jeff Skinner
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – JJ Peterka
Eric Robinson – Tyson Jost – Victor Olofsson
Defense
Bowen Byram – Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (likely starter), Eric Comrie
Edmonton Oilers
Forwards
Evander Kane – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
Ryan McCleod – Leon Draisaitl – Warren Foegele
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Adam Henrique – Corey Perry
Mattias Janmark – Sam Carrick – Connor Brown
Defense
Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse – Troy Stecher
Brett Kulak – Cody Ceci
Goaltenders
Stuart Skinner (confirmed starter), Calvin Pickard
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