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)