Game 80
Buffalo Sabres (31-38-10) vs. Nashville Predators (44-29-6)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B, FSTN
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Predators Blog: On the Forecheck
Know Your Opponent
Nashville Predators
Record: 44-29-6
Last 10: 5-4-1
Division Ranking: 3rd in the Central Division
Conference Ranking: 5th in the Western Conference
PP: 30th (12.9%)
PK: 6th (82.4%)
What to Watch
- Buffalo failed to win a regulation game during March
March was a far cry from November as you know, Sabres fans. Could it get any worse? The answer is: no, not really. However, it is the team’s second last home game of the season. Perhaps they will show up for fans and score more than their opponent. At this rate, it would be nice to just score a goal.
2. Rookies shine among the scoring struggles
We saw the long-awaited debut of some great rookies a few games ago – one of which was forward Victor Olofsson, who earned his first NHL goal during Saturday’s game against the Islanders. He will be looking for his third point in four games tonight with linemates Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart (with whom he fits in nicely). With Rochester this season, he has racked up 27 goals and 33 assists.
What fans will also see tonight is some line shakeups. No, that is not your eyes deceiving you. Jeff Skinner was practicing on the fourth line today.
3. Another loss would mean a season high
If Buffalo loses again tonight, they will have reached their season high for losses this season – eight in a row. Can you hear the ‘fire Housley’ chant about to start again?
On the flip side: Nashville, a team that historically makes the playoffs and does quite well, is looking for the division crown as they currently sit third behind Winnipeg and St. Louis. With a win tonight, they would be tied for points with the Jets, who sit in first place. It must be nice to win games.
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Victor Olofsson – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Conor Sheary – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Nylander
Scott Wilson – Johan Larsson – Jason Pominville
Jeff Skinner – Evan Rodrigues – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Rasmus Ristolainen
Lawrence Pilut – Casey Nelson
Jake McCabe – Brandon Montour
Matt Hunwick – William Borgen
Starting Goaltender: Carter Hutton (projected)
Nashville Predators
Forwards
Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Viktor Arvidsson
Mikael Granlund – Kyle Turris – Colton Sissons
Calle Jarnkrok – Nick Bonino – Craig Smith
Brian Boyle – Frederick Gaudreau – Wayne Simmonds
Defense
Roman Josi – Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm – P.K. Subban
Matt Irwin – Yannick Weber
Starting Goaltender: Pekka Rinne (projected)