Game #38
Buffalo Sabres (15-18-4) vs.
New York Islanders (20-12-5)
Puck Drop: 6:00 pm EST | First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG, MSG+ | Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Islanders Blog: Lighthouse Hockey
Three Questions
1. Will Tyler Ennis play?
The Sabres’ speedy winger took a tough hit from Alex Ovechkin last night, knocking him out of the game. Will he be able to play tonight, or did the Sabres have to make a call-up from the Rochester players that were in town last night? If Ennis is out, that likely means that Matt Moulson is back in the lineup.
2. Can Jack Eichel continue to help Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Gionta produce?
It hasn’t been a fun year for Girgensons or Gionta. Zemgus hasn’t come close to the production he had last year, and Gionta is the scapegoat for many of the Sabres issues (sometimes rightfully so). Eichel set up both to score last night, which is really among the most amazing things he’s done all year. Will that line continue to work, or will Bylsma shuffle yet again?
3. Can Matt Moulson turn his season around against his old team?
If Moulson is in the lineup tonight, it’s another opportunity for him to get back in good favor. Unfortunately that’s pretty hard to do from the fourth line. Just ask Johan Larsson or Mikhail Grigorenko. He’ll be playing against the team that he had his best years with and against the player that helped him score so many goals, John Tavares.
Projected BUF Lineup
Weber – Franson