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Preview: Sabres look to bounce back in a throwback

Game 15

Buffalo Sabres (9-3-2) vs. New York Islanders (9-3-0)

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG-B

Radio: WGR 550

SB Nation Islanders Blog: Lighthouse Hockey

Know Your Opponent

New York Islanders

Record: 9-3-0 | 18 PTS

Last 10: 82-0

Division Ranking: 3rd in Metro Division

Conference Ranking: 5th in Eastern Conference

PP: 9th (23.8%)

PK: 12th (82.3%)

What to Watch

1. The Islanders are fire emoji

With a 5-2 win over Tampa Bay last night, the New York Islanders have now won eight straight games. With both teams playing in their second game of a back-to-back, and the Sabres coming off of two straight losses, it should be interesting to see how these teams come out of the starting gate.

2. Montour to debut?

There weren’t any definite confirmations, but the signs are pointing to Brandon Montour making his season debut tonight. He has practiced on regular pair all week, leading to some speculation that he’d give it a go last night in Washington. Perhaps it makes more sense to debut at home, which would likely lead to him swapping in for John Gilmour on a pair with Colin Miller.

3. No reason to panic at the disco?

It’s 70s night, alright. While KeyBank Center will be ready to boogie down, these same fans will be hoping that the on-ice entertainment won’t be such a spaz. Amidst what is sure to be highlights from the beginning years of the franchise, this year’s version of the Sabres will look to do their fans, as well as their forefathers, proud.

Projected Lineup

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Victor OlofssonJack EichelSam Reinhart

Jeff SkinnerMarcus JohanssonVladimir Sobotka

Evan RodriguesCasey MittelstadtConor Sheary

Zemgus GirgensonsJohan LarssonKyle Okposo

Defense

Jake McCabeRasmus Ristolainen

Rasmus DahlinHenri Jokiharju

Brandon Montour/John GilmourColin Miller

Starting Goaltender: Carter Hutton (unconfirmed)

New York Islanders

Forwards

Anders Lee – Mathew Barzal – Josh Bailey

Anthony Beauvillier – Brock Nelson – Derick Brassard

Michael Dal Colle – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck

Ross Johnston – Cole Bardreau – Oliver Wahlstrom

Defense

Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock

Nick Leddy – Johnny Boychuk

Devon Toews – Scott Mayfield

Starting Goaltender: Semyon Varlamov (unconfirmed)