Game #79
Buffalo Sabres (22-48-8) vs.
New York Islanders (45-27-6)
Three Questions
1. Will the ghosts of Sabres goalies past come back to haunt the Sabres?
Sabre legend Jaroslav Halak is in net tonight, meaning we won’t see Michal Neuvirth tonight. Will Halak shut down the Sabres, and in a way do his old team a favor?
2. Will Matt Moulson return to action and make a difference against the team he’s spent most time with?
Moulson missed last night’s game because he was under the weather, eliminating a great deal of the Sabres offense, but not enough to stop the Sabres from scoring four goals. Can he return tonight, and make the Islanders wish they still had him flanking John Tavares?
The Sabres won’t have a morning skate, so we’ll know his status and who is starting in goal after 4 pm.
3. Can the Islanders clinch their playoff spot?
With a win tonight the Islanders would clinch a playoff spot, and they are still in the thick of things when it comes to positioning. They are currently in third in the Metro Division, tied with the Capitals with 96 points. They are just one point ahead of Pittsburgh, who could push the Islanders into a Wild Card spot. New York has struggled as of late, going 2-6-2 in the last ten games. Can they turn around their fortunes tonight?
Projected BUF Lineup
Gionta – Larsson -Ennis
Foligno – Grigorenko – Deslauriers
Dalpe – Varone – Kaleta
Ellis – Schaller – Hodgson
Stachan – Bogosian
Meszaros – Ristolainen
Benoit – Zadorov
Goal: Anders Lindback