Game #77 Preview & Open Thread: Hurricanes vs. Sabres

The ‘Canes Are Good, Are the Sabres Able?

Carolina Hurricanes (46-26-4) vs. Buffalo Sabres (34-36-6)

Puck Drop: 7:00 pm Eastern Time | Keybank Center | Buffalo, N.Y.

TV: MSG, ESPN +

Know Your Opponent

Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 46-26-4 | 96 PTS

Last Game: Lost to Boston 5-1

Division Ranking: 2nd in the Metro Division

PP: 18.9% (22th) Sabres 18.3% (25th)

PK: 84.8% (1st) Sabres 76.3% (23th)

What To Watch

1. Sizzling Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have won 4 games in a row and 7 of their last 8. Their only blemish was that stinker in Philly. Otherwise, the Sabres have been disposing of everyone on their schedule left and right. Most were heavy hitters, the Caps, Bolts, Jets and Sens. (twice) A couple were teams they should beat, which they usually struggle with. (Pens, Bruins) Buffalo is playing for pride and contracts but they are establishing an organizational dynamic towards next season too. Many of the teams they have mowed down recently are still jockeying for playoff position. It has been an impressive run for the Blue and Gold, too little too late of course. The big guns and the youth and the newcomers are all chipping in for some welcome team wide success.

So, how will they handle Carolina in this game? The Hurricanes are a near complete team that has dominated the Sabres for years now. Forget about beating the ‘Canes on the road, where Buffalo is winless since the 2015-16 season! But the Sabres have inflicted some moderate storm damage to Carolina while home at Keybank Center. They beat the Hurricanes 4-2 back in January and have home victories over the ‘Canes for 4 straight seasons. But Buffalo has just 7 wins against Carolina in their last 23 games against them. Not good at all. Still, the Sabres would win the season series with a victory tonight.

2. Super Stats

Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka were Buffalo’s top line earlier this season. Due to injuries, coaching decisions and strategy, they are spread out over three lines right now for better balance. It is certainly paying off lately. On line one, Tage is all the rage right now. He has an impressive 7 goals in his last 5 games, now up to 43 goals on the season. He has a decent chance of matching or beating his career high of 47. Meanwhile, on line 3, Tuch has an equally impressive 9 points in his last 5 games. Including 5 goals of his own. Alex is just 3 shy of matching his career high in goals as well with 36. Finally, we get to Peterka on line two, playing mostly with Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn. JJ has 6 points, including 5 assists in his last 5 games and continues to be a steady offensive threat. He has already set his career highs for assists and points this season. These three are leading the way, with big contributions from others as well. Included are Jason Zucker, Jack Quinn and Peyton Krebs. You heard right, Peyton Krebs.

3. Sustainable Success?

Including tonight’s game, the Sabres have 6 more contests before they pack it up for the summer. A few tough opponents in there as well. Will Buffalo’s mostly winning ways continue or will they putter out in these final days? It starts with Carolina tonight. It is expected that James Reimer will be back in the nets. His strong play has been the anchor, even though Buffalo is scoring in bunches lately. The Sabres will need to continue their determined and successful play at even strength tonight. The ‘Canes boast the NHL’s top penalty kill unit at nearly 85 percent.

Except for a few, individual success for our players has coincided with all the winning. It is certainly nice to see, especially for those who struggled earlier in the year. It has made many of us second guess if most of these players are still in Buffalo’s plans? There obviously must be some changes for next season but maybe not to the extent many think is needed. While I don’t believe all the answers are in the room, many of them may be. Can one quality forward, 2 physical defenders and some level of upgrade in goal set Buffalo up for the playoffs next season? Stay tuned…

Update: Alex Tuch and Jack Quinn have swapped out spots according to one source. Another says the lineup stays the same. Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Staal are game time decisions for the Hurricanes. Also note the all ex Sabres 4th line for Carolina.

From Lance Lysowski: Sabres’ morning skate is underway. Reimer is in the starter’s net. Greenway, Norris and Kozak are the only absences. According to Lindy Ruff, the Sabres still hope to get Norris and Greenway in a few games before the season ends. (from April 4th)

Projected Lineups

Buffalo

Forwards

Zach Benson – Jiri Kulich – Tage Thompson
JJ Peterka – Ryan McLeod – Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker – Peyton Krebs – Jack Quinn
Beck Malenstyn – Noah Ostlund – Sam Lafferty

Defense

Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahin
Owen Power – Jacob Bernard-Docker
Bowen Byram – Connor Clifton

Goaltenders

James Reimer, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Carolina

Forwards

Seth Jarvis – Sebastian Aho – Jackson Blake

Taylor Hall – Jack Roslovic – Logan Stankoven

Andrei Svechnikov? – Jordan Staal? – Jordan Martinook

Eric Robinson – Mark Jankowski – Tyson Jost