Game 1
Buffalo Sabres (0-0-0) vs Boston Bruins (0-1-0)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B and NESN
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Bruins Blog: Stanley Cup of Chowder
Know Your Opponent
Boston Bruins
Record: (0-1-0) | 0 PTS
Last 10: 0-1-0
Division Ranking: 8th in the Atlantic
Conference Ranking: 16th in the Eastern Conference
PP: N/A
PK: N/A
What to Watch
1. Starting off Strong
The Sabres have not won the first game of their season since January, 20 2013, when they beat the Philadelphia Flyers to open the lockout shortened season. They’ll look to change that tonight when they host the Bruins and set the tone for a good start to the season. We’ll see what kind of mood the Bruins are in after getting rolled 7-0 last night.
2. Early Advantages
There will be a lot working in the Sabres favor tonight. The Bruins are coming to Buffalo after playing the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals last night in D.C.. The Bruins will be starting their backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak and will be without one of their top defenders, Torey Krug.
3. New Season, New Team
We’ll get our first glimpse at all the new pieces on the ice at the same time tonight. It’ll be interesting to see how the team plays with nine new players in the lineup. If nothing else, hopefully the hockey will be enjoyable to watch.
Projected Lineup
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner- Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Conor Sheary – Patrik Berglund – Tage Thompson
Vladimir Sobotka – Casey Mittelstadt – Kyle Okposo
Zemgus Girgensons – Evan Rodrigues – Jason Pominville
Defense
Marco Scandella- Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe – Rasmus Dahlin
Nathan Beaulieu – Casey Nelson
Starting Goaltender: Carter Hutton
Boston Bruins
Forwards
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – David Krejci – Danton Heinen
Ryan Donato – Sean Kuraly – David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom – Noel Acciari – Chris Wagner
Defense
Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
John Moore – Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk – Kevan Miller
Starting Goaltender: Jaroslav Halak