Game #82
Buffalo Sabres (38-37-6) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (44-28-8)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EDT, Amelie Arena, Tampa Bay, FL
TV: MSG-B, Bali Sports FL
Radio: WGR-550
Know Your Opponent
Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 44-28-8
Last Game: 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals
Division Ranking: 4th in the Atlantic Division
PP Ranking: 28.9%, 1st
PK Ranking: 83.0%, 5th
What to Watch
1. Dangers of the Duclair-Point-Kucherov Line
Since the arrival of Anthony Duclair at the trade deadline, Duclair, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov have played together for 13 of Duclair’s 15 games with the Lightning. Finding instant chemistry, the line has produced at an exceptional rate, highlighting the quality acquisition by GM Julien BriseBois. In their last five games, the three have produced:
- Duclair: 2G 2A 4PTS
- Point: 2G 4A 6PTS
- Kucherov: 1G 10A 11PTS
The Lightning have lost the last two and three of their last five. With two games left in their season, they will want to finish with a more positive direction heading into the playoffs. In their final game of the season, if the Sabres wish to spoil the Lightning’s progression toward the playoffs, shutting down their top line will be a priority.
2. Youthful Sabres Top 6 in Full Flight to End the Season
It feels as though the way the top 6 have been playing is what we would have expected from the Sabres all season long. While the rapid growth of some players (JJ Peterka & Zach Benson) has modified what the expected top 6 would look like, the result of their production of late is the product that the Sabres needed from game 1.
With the addition of Jack Quinn to the lineup, the Sabres have a more balanced roster, allowing players such as Jeff Skinner to provide scoring depth. It has also allowed more freedom for a player like Benson, who now has one goal and three assists in his last five games.
While the promise of next year is something that Sabres’ fans are most definitely tired of hearing, there is little to no doubt that the group currently filling the top 6 is extremely promising. In the final game of the season for the 2023-2024 Buffalo Sabres, be sure these lines will be buzzing around, creating dangerous opportunities on a weakened Tampa Bay depth chart.
3. Battle of the Workhorses
It is no surprise that UPL will be battling Andrei Vasilevskiy. It has been an interesting season for both of these goalies. UPL had to battle his way to the starting role, running away with it in the second half of the season. Since then, he has played the majority of the games for the Sabres.
On the other side, Vasilevskiy returned midway through the season from a major injury and has since exploded for another 30-win season. One thing is for certain. Without these goalies taking on so many games, their teams would not be where they are now. Vasilevskiy propelled Tampa into a secured Wild Card spot after the start of the season, which had many analysts concerned about their chances of making the playoffs.
For the Sabres, without UPL taking over the starting position, this year could have become even more dreadful. Regardless of how much these two workhorses have already played, they will both be ready to go at 7 p.m. tonight. Playing the previous five games, UPL has one more opportunity to showcase his season-long ascension as the Sabres’ goalie of the future.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Jeff Skinner – Peyton Krebs – Jordan Greenway
Zemgus Girgensons – Tyson Jost – Victor Olofsson
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju
Bowen Byram – Owen Power
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton
Goaltenders: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (likely starter), Eric Comrie
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Steven Stamkos
Michael Eyssimont – Nicholas Paul – Mitchell Chaffee
Connor Sheary – Luke Glendening – Tanner Jeannot
Defense
Victor Hedman – Darren Raddysh
Nick Perbix – Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg – Matt Dumba
Goaltenders: Andrei Vasilevskiy (confirmed starter), Matt Tomkins
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