Game #9
Colorado Avalanche (6-1-0) at Buffalo Sabres (3-5-0)
Puck Drop: 1:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Colorado Avalanche
Record: 6-1-0 | 12 PTS
Division Ranking: 1st in Central
Last Game: 4-0 Loss vs Penguins
PP: Tied 9th (23.1%)
PK: 3rd (93.1%)
What to Watch
1. Bryson’s Season Debut
Connor Clifton received a two-game suspension for his hit on Nico Hischier Friday night against the Devils. This opens the door for Jacob Bryson to make his season debut on a pair with Erik Johnson. Bryson is known for his quick feet and transition speed, but he has his work cut out for him against the potent Avalanche offense. He will need to be decisive in his own zone as the Aves forecheckers will turn any hesitation into a potential costly turnover. With one year left on his deal, Bryson will need to improve on last year’s disappointing season to prove he can be more than a depth defenseman in the NHL.
2. Top Defenders Collide
Once again, Cale Makar has had an excellent start to the season. He is second on the Aves with 9 points in 7 games and leads the team with a +/- of +6. His 9 points also are tied for the league lead among defensemen. Buffalo has their own star defender leading them as well. Rasmus Dahlin leads the team with 8 points and is currently on a career high 7 game point streak. He is the first Sabre defenseman to record points in 7 or more straight games since Phil Housley had a 14-game point streak in 1990. The winner of the Makar/Dahlin matchup could be the difference in the game. Look for each star defender to try and outshine the other to propel their team to victory.
3. UPL’s Time to Shine
Luukkonen has served as the 3rd string goalie for Buffalo after being outplayed by Levi and Comrie so far. With injuries to his fellow goalies, Buffalo now turns to UPL between the pipes. His career has been a rollercoaster with flashes of strong play combined with moments that leave Sabre fans more confused than a 10-year-old reading Shakespeare. Injuries have given him an opportunity to prove he can be a viable NHL goalie. A strong showing against Colorado’s dynamic offense could go a long way in earning more playing time in the crowded Sabres’ crease. If not, UPL’s time in Buffalo may be dependent on the health of Levi and Comrie.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Greenway – Thompson – Benson
Skinner – Mittelstadt – Peterka
Olofsson – Cozens – Tuch
Girgensons – Krebs – Okposo
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Power – Jokiharju
Bryson – Johnson
Starter: Luukkonen
Colorado Avalanche
Forwards
Lehkonen – Mackinnon – Nichushkin
Tatar – Johansen – Rantanen
Wood – Colton – Drouin
Cogliano – Olofsson – O’Connor
Defense
Toews – Makar
Byram – Girard
Johnson– Manson
Starter: Georgiev