Buffalo Sabres (22-26-5) at Nashville Predators (18-28-7)
Puck Drop: 8:00 PM | Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, TN
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Nashville Predators
Record: 18-28-7 | 43 PTS
Division Ranking: 7th in Central Division
Last Game: 6-2 Loss vs Chicago Blackhawks
PP: T17th (21.1%)
PK: 11th (81.2%)
What to Watch
1. Here Comes the Cavalry
The Sabres roster has been hampered by injuries of late. Thompson, UPL, and Samuelsson missed Tuesday’s game, Kozak has been out sick, and Cozens missed practice on Wednesday. Thompson, UPL, and Cozens are confirmed to be returning for tonight’s matchup which is the last game before the 4 Nations Face-Off. Kozak is also trending in the right direction but remains a game-time decision. The return of Thompson in particular is a great boost to the line up as he has caught fire of late and leads the team in goals and points. Tonight, they face a team that has more talent than their record suggests. Buffalo can use all they help they can get to extend their 4-game win streak.
2. Broadway Bummers
The Nashville Predators have been a massive disappointment this season. Some even predicted the Predators to bring the Stanley Cup to Broadway, including yours truly. Despite a talented roster, the team is only ahead of the Blackhawks in their division. Those same Blackhawks crushed the Preds last night 6-2. Buffalo has a chance to pile on, but they will need to earn it. The Preds are 12-10-3 at home versus 6-18-4 on the road. Stamkos has been a consistent Sabre killer in his career with 48 points in 53 career games. Ryan O’Reilly has 9 points in his last 10 games against Buffalo. The Sabres will need to play a full 60 munites to prevent Nashville veterans from causing problems.
3. Backup Treatment
As the last place team in the Eastern Conference, Buffalo has seen their fair share of backup goaltenders. Tonight will be no different as Justus Annunen is expected to start. After arriving from Colorado in a trade earlier this year, Annunen has played well for Nashville posting a winning record of 6-3 with a 2.81 GAA and .908 save percentage. The 24-year-old netminder takes up a lot of room with his 6’4” frame. The Sabres need to crash the net early to prevent him from settling into the game.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Peterka – Kulich – Thompson
Zucker – McLeod – Tuch
Krebs – Cozens – Quinn
Benson – Kozak – Lafferty
Defense
Dahlin – Byram
Power – Clifton
Bryson – Jokiharju
Starter: Luukkonen
Nashville Predators
Forwards
Forsberg – O’Reily – Marchessault
Stamkos – Svechkov – Nyquist
Novak – Sissons – Kemell
Smith – McCarron – L’Heureux
Defense
Josi – Barron
Skjei – Blankenburg
Gravel – Schenn
Starter: Annunen