Game #31
Buffalo Sabres (12-15-3) at Vegas Golden Knights (20-5-5)
Puck Drop: 10:00 PM | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, NV
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Vegas Golden Knights
Record: 20-5-5 | 45 PTS
Division Ranking: 1st in Pacific
Last Game: 5-4 win vs Flames (OT)
PP: T10th (22.7%)
PK: 3rd (87.2%)
What to Watch
1. Next Man Up
The pain from the Sabres’ blowout loss to Colorado on Wednesday was compounded by Jeff Skinner’s addition to the injury report. Skinner was on the receiving end of a huge hit delivered by Nathan McKinnon and was put on IR the next day. He is currently tied for 2nd on the team in points with 22 and tied for 1st with 12 goals. Buffalo will need contributions throughout the lineup to replace his production. Notably, rookie Zach Benson is getting a look on the top line with Thompson. While the points don’t jump off the page (8 in 20 games), he always seems to be in the right place to force turnovers and create offense. With a certified sniper in Thompson on his line, Benson may be poised for a mid-season breakout.
2. Here We Go Again
Here comes the inevitable reference to the franchise altering Jack Eichel trade. Eichel is having a great year so far as he leads his team in points with 33 (19th in the league) and is 3rd on Vegas with 12 goals. Whether fueled by passion or spite, there is no doubt that Eichel with bring his “A” game to defeat Buffalo. Conversely, look for Tuch and Krebs to have an extra jump in their step as they also take on their former team. Both players have stepped up in the past and it’s a safe bet that both will be ready for puck drop.
3. Earn It
Since they’re inaugural season, Vegas has been a tough team to play against. Not only can they outscore you with their elite skill, but they can also suffocate you with a relentless forecheck and strong defenders. Open ice will be hard to come by. Sabre skaters will need to support the puck and utilize quick outlet passes to prevent the Knights’ forecheck from neutralizing Buffalo’s speed. This has been a Jekyll and Hyde kind of season. They will need to play like they did against the Bruins last week to have a shot against Vegas.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Benson – Thompson – Tuch
Cozens – Mittelstadt – Peterka
Robinson – Krebs – Okposo
Murray – Jost – Olofsson
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Power – Jokiharju
R. Johnson – Clifton
Starter: Levi
Vegas Golden Knights
Forwards
Barbashev – Eichel – Stone
Howden – Stephenson – Marchessault
Cotter – Karlsson – Amadio
Carrier – Roy – Kolesar
Defense
McNabb – Pietrangelo
Hague – Whitecloud
Hutton – Pachal
Starter: Thompson