Game 5: Looking for Redemption
New York Islanders (2-0-1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (1-3-0)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
New York Islanders
Record: 2-0-1 | 5 PTS
Last Game: OT loss vs. Devils
Division Ranking: 3rd in Metropolitan Division
PP: 21st (16.7%)
PK: T29th (0)
What to Watch
1. Return of the Goathead
For the first time this season, Buffalo will don the beloved goat head jerseys as they look for revenge against the Islanders since their loss in Long Island exactly one week ago. This will be the first of 15 games that fans will be able to watch the throwback sweaters glide around the ice. Last year, the team went 10-1-1 in the black and red, so hopefully this year the jerseys will act as another good luck charm to get the team winning more at home. Additionally, in nine of those 12 games last year, the Sabres tallied five or more goals. So far this season, Buffalo has not scored more than three goals in a game. The time has come to simply score more goals as they sit 25th in the league with an average of 2.25 goals per game.
2. Let’s Get Physical
A noticeable improvement so far in these first few games of the season is Buffalo’s physical presence on the ice. It has been incredibly refreshing to see bodies flying around in all of the right ways as this young Sabres team continues to gel. Specifically, forward Jordan Greenway and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson have been standouts with some excellent, clean hitting throughout each game – making an impression on the opposition while not taking frivolous penalties. Fans should expect to see more physicality tonight, perhaps something along the lines of this glorious hit:
3. Undefeated Isles (Sort of)
After last night’s overtime loss, the Islanders now have five points in three games and have yet to lose in regulation. The Sabres will really need to step up their offense if they want to turn their disappointing start to the season around. For starters, score first! Last year, one of my many qualms was the Sabres’ inability to get on the scoreboard first. Unfortunately, this continues to be true this season as Buffalo finds themselves with just one win (in overtime, no less), and that one win was the only game in which they scored first. Coincidence? Maybe, but I am guessing it is a lot harder to play catch-up than to bury the puck before the other team. To add insult to injury, the Sabres’ first period stats are atrocious: the team has been scoreless in the first period in two out of these first four matchups. Then, they seem to come alive in the second period while remaining inconsistent in the third. Perhaps one advantage to tonight’s game is that New York played last night and had to travel to Buffalo, while the Sabres have had a full day of “rest” during this home stretch.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards*
Jordan Greenway – Tage Thompson – Dylan Cozens
Jeff Skinner – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka – Tyson Jost – Victor Olofsson
Zemgus Girgensons – Peyton Krebs – Kyle Okposo
* The Sabres held a very optional morning skate Saturday, so it’s unclear what the forward lines will look like for puck drop. Buffalo mixed things up on Friday, but we’ll see what sticks. Zach Benson missed Friday’s practice and was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but was on the ice Saturday morning. Matt Savoie has also been practicing.
Defense
Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Erik Johnson – Connor Clifton
Jacob Bryson has also been practicing.
Goaltenders: Eric Comrie (projected starter), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Devon Levi*
* Levi also missed Friday’s practice and was said to be day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but the team also said he was fine. He was on the ice for Saturday’s morning skate.
New York Islanders
Forwards
Mathew Barzal – Bo Horvat – Simon Holmstrom
Pierre Engvall – Brock Nelson – Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Hudson Fasching
Matt Martin – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck
Defense
Adam Pelech – Noah Dobson
Alexander Romanov – Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho – Samuel Bolduc*
*Bolduc has been playing in place of Scott Mayfield, who suffered an injury last week either leading up to or during the Sabres game. Mayfield may find his way back into the lineup as he is day-to-day.
Goaltenders: Semyon Varlamov (expected to start for season debut), Ilya Sorokin