Game #23
Buffalo Sabres (8-12-2) vs.
Carolina Hurricanes (8-10-4)
Puck Drop: 7:00 pm EST | First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG, Bell, Fox Sports Carolina | Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Hurricanes Blog: Canes Country
Three Questions
1. How will Sam Reinhart look on the top line?
The Sabres young forward has played well as of late, and he’s getting rewarded with more playing time. He was on the top line during the morning skate, joining Ryan O’Reilly and Johan Larsson (who likely is a placeholder for Evander Kane). Will his smarts come through while playing with two of the best players on the team?
2. Can the Sabres bury some of their chances?
Buffalo is on a six-game losing streak, but it hasn’t been due to lack of opportunities. However, the Sabres haven’t scored more than two goals since their last victory, a 3-2 win over Florida on Nov. 12.
3. Will the losing streak come to an end?
This one is pretty simple. If the Sabres want to avoid a free fall to the bottom of the standings, they’ll need to start stringing together some victories again.
Projected BUF Lines
There are a couple roster decisions to watch as the day goes along. Dan Bylsma says that Kane and Zach Bogosian are game time decisions for tonight. Kane wasn’t on the ice this morning, and was wearing a boot after the game on Wednesday. If Bogosian can’t go, Mike Weber is available to play for the first time since he suffered a knee injury earlier in the month.
Larsson (Possibly Kane) – O’Reilly – Reinhart
Moulson – Eichel – Gionta
Foligno – Girgensons – Deslauriers
McGinn – Legwand – Schaller
Gorges – Ristolainen
McCabe – Bogosian
Colaiacovo – Franson
Goal: Chad Johnson