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Game Preview 49 & Open Thread: Sabres vs. Oilers

Mar 9, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) skates up ice with the puck during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Sabres (18-25-5) at Edmonton Oilers (30-15-3)

Puck Drop: 4:00 PM | Rogers Place | Edmonton, AB

TV: MSG-B

Radio: WGR 550

Know Your Opponent

Edmonton Oilers

Record: 30-15-3 | 63 PTS

Division Ranking: 2nd in Pacific Division

Last Game: 6-2 Win vs Vancouver Canucks

PP: 7th (24.8%)

PK: 24th (75.9%)

What to Watch

1.  Look out for Leon

Even with Connor McDavid out on suspension, the Oilers still deploy an NHL superstar. Leon Draisaitl is the current NHL leading goal scorer (35) and 2nd leading point scorer (74). He has only been held without a point in 9 of 48 games this year and is currently on an 8-game point streak. However, the team’s point production drops significantly after him. Without McDavid, the Oilers next highest scorers are Even Bouchard (36) and Zach Hyman (29). The entire Sabres defensive strategy should be to shut down Draisaitl which is much easier said than done.

2. McLeod’s Return

The Sabres two biggest offseason moves will be highlighted by this game. Ryan McLeod returns to the lineup in time to face his former team. This is his first game in Edmonton since being traded to Buffalo for Matt Savoie. With the Oilers, McLeod amassed 75 points in 219 games after making his debut in April of 2021. He also had 13 points in 56 playoff games. This season, he is on pace for career highs in all offensive categories. Look for him to play with an extra chip on his shoulder to prove Buffalo made the right call in trading for him.

3. A Familiar Face

The other major Sabre offseason move to be highlighted today is the buyout of Jeff Skinner’s contract. The Sabres moved on from the scoring winger after seeing a significant drop in production last season. He had three years left on his deal. Skinner ended up signing a one-year deal in Edmonton to provide another scoring weapon to the perennial playoff contender. However, Skinner has struggled mightily. He is currently on the 4th line and has been a healthy scratch at times. The scoring touch we saw in Buffalo has not traveled to the West Coast as he has only 7 goals in 43 games, including one goal in last 13 and none in last five. Like McLeod, Skinner will likely play with some extra fire to try and stick it to his former team.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Peterka – Kulich – Thompson

Zucker* – Cozens – Tuch

Benson – Krebs – Quinn

Malenstyn – McLeod – Lafferty

Defense

Dahlin – Byram

Power – Samuelsson

Gilbert – Clifton

Starter: Reimer

*Zucker is a game time decision.

Edmonton Oilers

Forwards

Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Arvidsson

Perry – Henrique – Hyman

Janmark – Nugent-Hopkins – Brown

Skinner – Philp – Kapanen

Defense

Ekholm – Bouchard

Nurse – Kulak

Stecher – Emberson

Starter: Pickard

Talking Points