Game #19
Buffalo Sabres (3-13-2) vs.
Toronto Maple Leafs (9-6-2)
Three Questions
1. Can the defense and Michal Neuvirth get back on track?
Buffalo has given up six goals in each of the last three games, and will look to snap that streak against the powerful Leafs offense, averaging 3.16 goals per game, good for fourth in the league. Andre Benoit will take a seat, and Josh Gorges is still injured, so the responsibility will once again fall on the team’s young defensemen to help stop the bleeding.
2. How will Nikita Zadorov follow up on his breakout game?
In Thursday’s game against the Wild, Zadorov set three new career high with 25:17 of ice time, four hits, and a +3 rating. Inconsistency is one of the trademarks of young players, but Zadorov has been impressive in all of his NHL contests thus far, leading all Sabres this season in +/- and even strength Fenwick.
3. How awesome will it be to hear Rick Jeanneret’s voice calling Sabres play-by-play again?
The long-time voice of the Sabres will return to the broadcast booth to call the first period of tonight’s game. Jeanneret, who is cancer-free, is looking to ease himself back in to his usual part-time broadcasting gig, which he can hopefully get back to soon. Dan Dunleavy will call the second and third periods.
Projected BUF Lineup
Deslauriers – Stafford – Stewart
Zadorov – Ristolainen
Goal: Michal Neuvirth