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