Game 37
Buffalo Sabres (16-13-7) vs. Los Angeles Kings (15-18-4)
Puck Drop: 1:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Kings Blog: Jewels From The Crown
Know Your Opponent
Los Angeles Kings
Record: (15-18-4) | 34 PTS
Last 10: 4-4-2
Division Ranking: 7th in Pacific Division
Conference Ranking: 14th in Western Conference
PP: 30th (12.9%)
PK: 28th (73.9%)
What to Watch
1. Day-to-Day
Jack Eichel was a late scratch against the Philadelphia Flyers, with what as termed an “upper-body injury”.
Despite the nature of his injury, it was reported by hockey media that Eichel was actually ill.
Sounds like the flu. https://t.co/YN1EmwrMgc
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 20, 2019
Eichel practiced on Friday on his normal line, which points toward him playing on Saturday afternoon.
After seeing Thursday night’s result, Buffalo needs Eichel back as soon as possible.
2. Ullmark is the Number One
Following Carter Hutton’s latest poor performance, one thing is clear – Linus Ullmark is the clear-cut number one goaltender.
Hutton has not won his last ten starts, going 0-6-4 and he has allowed at least four goals in six of his last ten appearances.
Ullmark, on the other hand, has gone 3-1-1 in his last five starts.
Continue getting used to seeing Linus Ullmark in net.
3. Riding the Struggle Bus
Buffalo has struggled the last two games when it comes to stopping goals from being scored.
While the Sabres have scored four goals in two games, which is not too fantastic, they have allowed 11 goals.
When it comes to winning hockey games, Buffalo will find struggles when allowing 11 goals in two games.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Victor Olofsson – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Jimmy Vesey – Marcus Johansson – Rasmus Asplund
Jeff Skinner – Evan Rodrigues – Conor Sheary
Zemgus Girgensons – Curtis Lazar – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Jake McCabe – Rasmus Ristolainen
Colin Miller – Brandon Montour
Marco Scandella – Henri Jokiharju
Rasmus Dahlin – Zach Bogosian
Starting Goaltender: Linus Ullmark
Los Angeles Kings
Forwards
Alex Iafallo – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Mario Kempe – Blake Lizotte – Austin Wagner
Nikolai Prokhorkin – Mike Amadio – Tyler Toffoli
Kyle Clifford – Jeff Carter – Trevor Lewis
Defense
Joakim Ryan – Drew Doughty
Ben Hutton – Matt Roy
Kurtis MacDermid – Sean Walker
Starting Goaltender: Jonathan Quick