Game #71
Buffalo Sabres (28-33-9) vs.
Montreal Canadiens (32-32-6)
Three Questions
1. How will Ryan O’Reilly look in his first game back?
O’Reilly is back after missing nearly a month with a foot injury. He’ll be skating on the top line with Nick Deslauriers and Evander Kane and is looking to break a very long scoreless streak. O’Reilly hasn’t lit up the lamp since Jan. 8 against Chicago.
2. Dan Bylsma said on WGR yesterday that these lines were built for the future. Will he stick with them the whole game?
Bylsma loves shuffling his lines, and it may be the aspect of him that frustrates fans the most. Now that he said these lines are the framework for the future, will he give them time to grow?
3. How will Montreal’s defense fare without P.K. Subban?
The Canadiens are still without their star defenseman, who suffered a neck injury against the Sabres last week. Will Montreal have trouble keeping the Sabres off the scoreboard without their best defenseman?
Projected BUF Lineup
Kane – R. O’Reilly – Deslauriers
Girgensons – Eichel – Reinhart
Foligno – Larsson – Gionta
C. O’Reilly – Legwand – Moulson
Gorges – Ristolainen
McCabe – Bogosian
Colaiacovo – Pysyk
Goal: Robin Lehner