Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings preview: New year, same team
Buffalo plays for the first time in 2016 against another above .500 team.
Game #39
Buffalo Sabres (15-19-4) vs.
Detroit Red Wings (18-13-7)
Puck Drop: 1:00 pm EST | First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY TV: MSG, Bell TV | Radio: WGR 550 SB Nation Red Wings Blog: Winging It In Motown
Two Questions
1. Can the Sabres end their scoring troubles?
Buffalo has struggled putting the puck in the net after the six-goal offensive explosion against Boston, only scoring three total goals in the last three games. They've played some top notch teams, but if they are going to end their losing streak they'll need to take advantage of their best opportunities.
2. Can the Buffalo depth players start producing?
The Sabres have been relying on their top two lines very heavily as of late, with most goals coming through Ryan O'Reilly, Sam Reinhart, Jamie McGinn and Jack Eichel. Can Buffalo get some goals from other players, especially the second line of Evander Kane, Johan Larsson and Matt Moulson?
Projected BUF Lines
McGinn - O'Reilly - Reinhart
Kane - Larsson - Moulson
Girgensons - Eichel - Gionta
Deslauriers - Legwand - Foligno
Gorges - Ristolainen
McCabe - Bogosian
Weber - Franson
Goal: Chad Johnson