New York Islanders (13-14-7) at Buffalo Sabres (11-19-4)
Puck Drop: 7:30 PM | UBS Arena | Elmont, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
New York Islanders
Record: 13-14-7 | 33 PTS
Division Ranking: 7th in Metropolitan Division
Last Game: 6-3 Win vs Toronto Maple Leafs
PP: 32nd (12.1%)
PK: 32nd (64.3%)
What to Watch
1. When will it end?
The Sabres are in the midst of a soul crushing winless streak. They have yet to win a game in December and have falling into the league’s basement. They are currently tied with the Blackhawks for last in the entire league. Before enjoying a few days off for Christmas, Buffalo can end their horrid streak against the Islanders. Some say the best way to spread Christmas cheer is not to lose 14 straight games leading up to the holiday. It’s not a catchy phrase but rings true for Sabres fans. Maybe the team will get their fans the last-minute gift of a victory. Better late than never.
2. It’s a Trap
The Islanders have been a consistent thorn in the Sabres side for years. The Islanders’ often employ a neutral zone trap to stifle Buffalo’s rush offense and drag the game into the mud. Buffalo will need to have clean exits out of their zone and clean neutral zone passing to break the 1-2-2 trap. Scoring first is vital as well. New York will be less inclined to revert to their defensive shell while trailing. A poor first period that allows New York to sit on a lead the rest of the game will only compound the pent-up frustration brewing in Buffalo.
3. Last Place Special Teams
One advantage Buffalo has heading into this game is their special teams. While the Sabres special teams’ units are near the bottom of the league, the Islanders own the unique dishonor of having the worst powerplay and penalty kill units in the league. Dahlin is set to man the top powerplay unit after sitting out the Boston game out of caution. He should bring more cohesion to the powerplay and allow for more dangerous scoring chances. The Sabres should be extra aggressive on the penalty kill to potentially score a shorthanded goal. If there was ever a time for Buffalo to find its footing on special teams, it’s now.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Zucker – Thompson – Tuch
Peterka – Cozens – Quinn
Krebs – Kulich – Benson
Malenstyn – McLeod – Lafferty
Defense
Dahlin – Byram
Samuelsson – Power
Gilbert – Jokiharju
Starter: Luukkonen
New York Islanders
Forwards
Lee – Barzal – Pageau
Duclair- Nelson – Palmieri
Tsyplakov – Horvat – Holmstrom
Maclean – Cizikas – Fasching
Defense
Romanov – Dobson
Pelech – Pulock
George – Mayfield
Starter: Sorokin