Game 56
Buffalo Sabres (15-33-7) vs. New York Rangers (36-16-3)
Puck Drop: 3:00 PM EST | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh, PA
TV: NBC
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Penguins Blog: Pensburgh
Know Your Opponent
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: (36-16-3) | 75 PTS
Division Ranking: 1st in East Division
PP: 5th (24.0%)
PK: 25th (77.3%)
1. Last Time This Season
This afternoon’s puck drop marks the 56th and final time we will see the Buffalo Sabres on the ice in the 2020-21 NHL season.
In what has been a rollercoaster season of some ups and a lot more downs, the Sabres look to close the book on another incredibly disappointing season filled with injuries, ineffectiveness and another coach being fired.
The question always gets asked before the final game – who will we see in Sabres blue for the final time this afternoon? Will Don Granato return behind the bench for Buffalo next season?
Only time will tell but for now, enjoy the 2020-21 Buffalo Sabres for one last time.
2. One Goal Away
Sam Reinhart’s offensive dominance this season has been highlighted heavily and rightfully so.
In 53 games this season, Reinhart has scored 25 goals.
For Reinhart, that ties a career-high, which was set back in 2017-18 (25 goals in 82 games).
Can Reinhart find the back of the net one more time for the road and set a career-high in goals scored? A safe bet for sure but one can never be too certain with the Sabres.
3. Riding The Storm Out
Goaltender Michael Houser is in line for one more NHL start with the Sabres this afternoon.
Houser’s story has been heavily reported on by this point but what an opportunity this season has been for Houser.
From an ECHL regular to NHL starter, Houser’s persistence and never-quit attitude has paid off for him.
Houser is an unrestricted free agent after this season and one has to think Kevyn Adams should be racing to the table to get Houser back under contract for the next season with a potential promotion to “AHL regular” in mind.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Anders Bjork – Sam Reinhart – Victor Olofsson
Rasmus Asplund – Casey Mittelstadt – Tage Thompson
Jeff Skinner – Dylan Cozens – Arttu Ruotsalainen
Brett Murray – Riley Sheahan – Drake Caggiula
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju
Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Ristolainen
Jacob Bryson – Colin Miller
Starter: Michael Houser
Pittsburgh Penguins
Forwards
Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker – Evgeni Malkin – Kasperi Kapanen
Jared McCann – Jeff Carter – Frederick Gaudreau
Zach Aston-Reese – Teddy Blueger – Colton Sceviour
Defense
Brian Dumolin – Kris Letang
Chad Ruhwedel – Cody Ceci
Marcus Pettersson – John Marino
Starter: Maxime Legace