Preview: Sabres take a trip to the island
Sabres visit the Islanders this afternoon to look to keep the winning streak alive
Game 34
Buffalo Sabres (16-11-6) vs. New York Islanders (21-7-2)
Puck Drop: 1:00 PM EST | Nassau Coliseum | Uniondale, NY
TV: MSG
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Islanders Blog: Lighthouse Hockey
Know Your Opponent
New York Islanders
Record: (21-7-2) | 44 PTS
Last 10: 5-4-1
Division Ranking: 2nd in Metro Division
Conference Ranking: 3rd in Eastern Conference
PP: 11th (20.8%)
PK: 11th (82.9%)
What to Watch
1. 11/7 or 12/6?
We’ll see what kind of lineup Ralph Krueger goes with tonight on the island. With the success that the Sabres had against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, it’s likely he’ll lineup on the 11/7 lineup again.
2. Limited Opportunities
The New York Islanders are known as the stingy defensive team in the NHL and the Sabres will need to capitalize on the limited chances they’ll get this afternoon. They’ll allow you to get your shots from the outside, but you’ll have to work hard to get to the quality scoring areas of the ice. We all remember the 1-0 defensive battle a little over a month ago in Buffalo between these two teams.
Projected Lineup
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Victor Olofsson - Jack Eichel - Sam Reinhart
Jimmy Vesey - Marcus Johansson - Rasmus Asplund
Jeff Skinner - Evan Rodrigues -
Zemgus Girgensons - Johan Larsson - Kyle Okposo
Defense
Brandon Montour - Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe - Colin Miller
Henri Jokiharju - Rasmus Dahlin
Marco Scandella
Starting Goaltender: Linus Ullmark (unconfirmed)
New York Islanders
Forwards
Ross Johnston - Mathew Barzal - Josh Bailey
Anthony Beauvillier - Brock Nelson - Michael Dal Colle
Andres Lee - Derick Brassard - Jordan Eberle
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Defense
Noah Dobson - Johnny Boychuk
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews - Scott Mayfield
Starting Goaltender: Thomas Greiss (unconfirmed)