Buffalo Sabres (20-14-4) at Tampa Bay Lightning (23-21-4)
Puck Drop: 7:30 PM | Benchmark International Arena | Tampa, FL
TV: ESPN +/HULU
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 35-14-4 | 74 PTS
Division Ranking: 1st in Atlantic Division
Last Game: 6-5 SO Win vs Boston Bruins
PP: 12th (22.0%) | Sabres Rank: 18th (19.9%)
PK: 3rd (84.2%) | Sabres Rank: 8th (82.6%)
What to Watch
1. Lightning Striking
Tampa Bay has been a tough team to make up ground on. In their 13 January games, they went 11-1-1. They began February with a dramatic comeback win against Boston in an outdoor stadium series game. Missing Brayden Point has not hindered their rise in the standings. Kucherov is not surprisingly their biggest offensive threat. He has 86 points in 49 games which is 29 more points then the next highest player on the Lightning (Guentzel – 57). The Sabres will need to keep him in check to prevent him from controlling the game.
2. All Hands on Deck
Both teams are dealing with their share of injuries. Buffalo has been without multiple key pieces at various times this year with Zach Benson’s injury yesterday being the latest. Tampa Bay has been without Brayden Point and just announced that Anthoney Cirelli and Nick Paul will not return before the Olympic break. These injuries to key players create opportunities for others down the lineup while testing the teams’ organizational depth. Last night, it was Payton Krebs who stepped up. Buffalo will need another outside of their top performers to provide an additional boost to defeat the Lightning.
3. Playoff Preview?
If the playoffs were today, the Sabres would play Carolina and Tampa Bay would face off against Boston. However, the standings are very tight and we could very well see a Lightning-Sabres matchup in the spring. Even with their depleted line ups, the intensity is due to ramp up. It will be a good stress test for Buffalo. Without rest and shorthanded, they will everyone to step up as shortening the bench is less of a viable option. They’ve played well in these situations this season, and hopefully they can keep that going.
Projected Lineups (*likely to change)
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Krebs – Thompson – Tuch
Zucker – McLeod – Quinn
Helenius – Ostlund – Doan
Rosen – Kozak – Malenstyn
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Byram – Power
Metsa – Kesselring
Starter: Ellis
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards
Hagel – Guentzel – Kucherov
TBD – James – Goncalves
Girgensons – Gourde – Holmberg
Bjorkstrand – TBD
Defense
Hedman – Crozier
Moser – Raddysh
McDonagh – Cernak
Carlile
Starter: Vasilevskiy