Game #72

Buffalo Sabres (23-36-12) vs. Nashville Predators (47-14-10)

Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG

Radio: WGR 550

SB Nation Predators blog: On The Forecheck

What to Watch

1. Kyle Okposo Back

After suffering a concussion against the Ottawa Senators on March 8. Okposo will return to the lineup tonight for the Sabres. He’ll skate with Jordan Nolan and Johan Larsson.

2. Amerks Line

The line of Justin Bailey, Evan Rodrigues and Nick Baptiste was a big factor in the Sabres getting the win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. They were put together in the third period and will skate together again tonight.

3. Ullmark’s Turn

Linus Ullmark will get the start tonight for the Sabres. This is his second appearance this season. Chad Johnson will back him up with Robin Lehner still out with an injury.

4. Phil Housley

Tonight will be Housley’s first game against the team he spent four years with on the bench as an assistant coach. He’ll make his return to Nashville at the end of March.

Know Your Opponent

1. Coming in Waves

The Predators are one of the deeper clubs in the NHL. With Mike Fisher coming out of retirement recently, Nick Bonino is now the fourth line center. That gives you an idea of the depth. All four lines can score and give the defense fits. Not to mention their stellar blue line.

2. Vezina Season

To go along with the depth throughout the lineup the Predators are getting a Vezina worthy season from Pekka Rinne. He has 39 wins with a 2.25 goals against average and .929 save percentage in 52 appearances this season.

Projected Lineup

20 Scott Wilson – 90 Ryan O’Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart

67 Benoit Pouliot – 15 Jack Eichel – 29 Jason Pominville

95 Justin Bailey – 71 Evan Rodrigues – 13 Nick Baptiste

17 Jordan Nolan – 22 Johan Larsson – 21 Kyle Okposo

6 Marco Scandella – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen

45 Brendan Guhle – 41 Justin Falk

82 Nathan Beaulieu – 8 Casey Nelson

Starting Goaltender: 35 Linus Ullmark