Buffalo Sabres (35-37-7) at Tampa Bay Lightning (45-26-8)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | Amalie Arena | Tampa, Florida
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 45-26-8 | 98 PTS
Division Ranking: 2nd in Atlantic Division
Last Game: 4-3 Overtime Loss vs Detroit
PP: 5th (26.1%) | Sabres Rank: 23rd (18.8%)
PK: 8th (81.4%) | Sabres Rank: 23rd (76.6%)
What to Watch
1. No Rest for the Weary
Buffalo rounds out their Florida trip with a visit to Tampa Bay. They have the unfortunate honor of playing on back-to-back nights while their opponents had Saturday to rest. Last night’s game going into a shootout certainly didn’t give them additional time to rest. They will also be without Owen Power as he suffered a lower body injury in last nights game. With only a few games left, this is a good opportunity for the Sabres to dig deep and see what they have left in the tank.
2. Oxygen On Deck
Rasmus Dahlin is used to logging significant minutes. With Owen Power injuried, Buffalo will likely lean on their captain to pick up the slack. Despite playing 28 minutes last night, Dahlin at any energy level is still the best defenseman on the Sabres. It wouldn’t be surprising for him to crack the 30-minute mark barring any penalties or fights. The training staff might consider keeping an oxygen tank on the bench in case Rasmus needs some brief assistance.
3. Don’t Back Down
The end of the season can set a tone for the offseason. Even with Buffalo out of the playoff race, they need to continue to establish their identity. Their immediate response to the “questionable” hit to Kulich last night was a positive sign. They’ll need the same mindset against Tampa Bay as they are known to take liberties. Cernak is the obvious choice to start post whistle activity, but never underestimate Kucherov’s inclination to take someone out behind the play. Whoever the offender, the Sabres need to respond in kind and defend their own.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Benson – Kulich – Thompson
Peterka – McLeod – Quinn
Zucker- Krebs – Tuch
Malenstyn – Ostlund – Lafferty
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Bryson – Bernard-Docker
Byram – Clifton
Starter: Reimer
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards
Gourde – Point – Kucherov
Hagel – Cirelli – Guentzel
Goncalves – Paul – Geekie
Raddysh – Girgensons – Chaffee
Defense
Hedman – Moser
McDonagh – Cernak
Lilleberg – Perbix
Starter: Vasilevskiy