After the Red Wings wrapped up their optional morning skate at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, head coach Todd McLellan was asked by the media what the club’s lineup might look like against the Sabres. All McLellan could confirm at that point in time was that John Gibson will start in goal.
“We’ll get an update on some bumps and bruises, but the plan right now is to stay with the same lineup [from Thursday’s game],” McLellan said. “We’ll make decisions based on that.”
In eighth place in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres are on a five-game winless streak and coming off a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Thursday. Buffalo has struggled away from KeyBank Center so far, going 0-5-2 as a visitor.
Alex Tuch leads the Sabres offensively, notching 15 points (six goals, nine assists). Then there’s Tage Thompson with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and Josh Doan with 10 points (four goals, six assists). Buffalo is currently carrying three goaltenders — Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis — who have combined for a 3.05 GAA and .900 SV% so far.
“They have a lot of good offensive players,” Chiarot said. “They like to take off offensively and try to get in behind the defense. Always a challenge with these guys it seems, so being sharp defensively and not letting guys behind us. Keep them off the power play. They have a pretty dangerous power play as well, so lots of different things to be aware of.”
The pair of Atlantic Division rivals last met on Oct. 22, when Detroit lost, 4-2, in Buffalo.
“They gave us a tough night in Buffalo,” McLellan added about the Sabres. “They’re fighting some injuries and missing some key performers…They have some effective players there that can certainly make you pay offensively. We always have our hands full with them. They’re a good hockey club and we better be ready to play.”