Game #51
St. Louis Blues (26-21-2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (22-24-4)
Puck Drop: 1:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: ABC
Radio: WGR550 AM
Know Your Opponent
St. Louis Blues
Record: 26-21-2
Last Game: 1-0 loss to Columbus
Division Ranking: 4th in the Central Division
PP: 24th (15.2%)
PK: 21st (78.3%)
What to Watch
1) I’ve Got The Blues
This afternoon’s game marks the return to action for the Blues, who haven’t played since January 30. That’s quite the break, between the NHL All-Star pause and then an extended break for the team itself. Prior to the break, they’d won five of their last six games.
On Thursday, St. Louis announced the placement of Justin Faulk on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Faulk has registered two goals and 17 assists for 19 points in 40 games this season. They also recalled defenseman Calle Rosen from the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. Rosen has 25 points in 44 AHL games this season.
The other big news as of late for the Blues is their inclusion in the 2025 Winter Classic in Chicago.
The Blues named Drew Bannister as their interim head coach back in December. He’s joined on the bench by a pair of familiar faces: Buffalo Sabres alumni Steve Ott and Mike Weber, who are both assistant coaches with the club.
2) The Leaders
Casey Mittelstadt leads the Sabres with 42 points, including 30 assists, while JJ Peterka’s 18 goals are most on the team. Jeff Skinner isn’t far behind, with 17 goals (and as many assists). And of course, Rasmus Dahlin continues to be an offensive threat from the blueline with 39 points this season.
Here’s a fun fact: the Sabres are 10-1-1 when Alex Tuch scores, and 16-4-1 when he records a point.
The Blues are led by Robert Thomas, who joined Dahlin at last week’s NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. Thomas has 52 points in 49 games this season, including team highs in goals (17) and assists (35). Pavel Buchnevich, his linemate, has 39 points (17-22) in 47 games, while Jordan Kyrou, who completes the top line, has 37 points. Thomas and Kyrou each have 10 power-play points, while Buchnevich has six power-play goals.
3) A Busy Stretch
Saturday’s game kicks off a busy stretch for the Sabres, who will play ten times in the next 19 days. Buffalo will play nearly every other day for the remainder of the month, with this coming Sunday/Monday as their only two-day break. Four home games and five road games are on tap, including hosting Los Angeles (Tues., Feb. 13) and Florida (Thu., Feb. 15).
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Kyle Okposo
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – JJ Peterka
Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch
Zemgus Girgensons – Peyton Krebs – Victor Olofsson
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju
Owen Power – Connor Clifton
Ryan Johnson – Erik Johnson
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (projected starter), Eric Comrie
St. Louis Blues
Forwards
Pavel Buchnevich – Robert Thomas – Jordan Kyrou
Jake Neighbours – Brayden Schenn – Kasperi Kapanen
Brandon Saad – Kevin Hayes – Sammy Blais
Alexey Toropchenko – Oskar Sundqvist – Nathan Walker
Defense
Nick Leddy – Colton Parayko
Torey Krug – Matt Kessel
Marco Scandella – Tyler Tucker
Goaltenders
Jordan Binnington, Joel Hofer