Game #9
Buffalo Sabres (1-7-0) at
San Jose Sharks (4-3-1)
Three Questions
1. Will the right wings shuffle result in more offense?
The Sabres swapped all three right wingers on their top lines in the hopes of finding someone – anyone – who can score. Chris Stewart gets his chance to play on the top line with Moulson and Ennis tonight, while Brian Gionta is back on the third line. Buffalo has scored just one goal in their last four games, so anything more than that in this game would be a minor miracle.
2. Can the Sabres continue their recent success against San Jose?
Since 2007-08, the Sabres are (somehow) 8-1-0 against the Sharks, and have won their last three games in San Jose. The Sharks have been slumping after a hot start, and have allowed 24 goals in their last five games. Which of course means they probably shut out the Sabres tonight, but still.
3. When will Buffalo’s power play find pay dirt?
Buffalo is one of two teams (along with Minnesota) that has yet to find their first power play goal. There’s no better way to jump start your offense than by taking advantage of the power play, and there’s no time like the present to finally get it going.
Projected BUF Lineup
Goal: Jhonas Enroth