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