New York Islanders (42-28-5) at Buffalo Sabres (45-21-8)

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, New York

TV: MSG-B

Radio: WGR 550

Know Your Opponent

New York Islanders

Record: 42-28-5 | 89 PTS

Division Ranking: 3rd in Metropolitan Division

Last Game: 8-3 Loss vs Penguins

PP: 30th (16.7%) | Sabres Rank: 16th (20.9%)

PK: 6th (81.6%) | Sabres Rank: 1st (85.4%)

What to Watch

1. Season Sweep?

Buffalo enters this game with a chance to sweep the Islanders in the season series. They won their first matchup in a shootout and crushed them 5-0 in their rematch. The Sabres have the home ice and rest advantage as they have been off since their shootout win on Saturday and the Islanders were routed by the Penguins last night. It’s tough to beat a team three times in one season though. Buffalo will have their work cut out for them against a team fighting to retain their playoff spot.

2. Calder Lock

There are few certainties in life, but one of them is that Matthew Schaefer is going to win the Calder Trophy. Last year’s #1 overall pick is one point behind forwards Beckett Sennecke and Ivan Demidov for the rookie points lead. He leads all rookies in average time on ice (24:29), power play goals (8), power play points (18), and shots (199). He is the engine behind his team and must be the focal point in any defensive strategy. One way to do this is to play a clean game and keep him off the power play. However, his skating makes him dangerous on every shift. Forecheckers like Benson and Doan will be key to forcing him to expend his energy in the defensive zone instead of generating momentum on the back end for offensive rushes.

3. Long Awaited Return?

Bufalo could have a couple players return to the lineup against the Islanders. The projected lineup is subject to change, but Lindy Ruff stated that Greenway and Metsa are options for tonight per Heather Engel. Metsa would return after spending the weekend in Rochester. This would be his 4th game in 5 days after playing 3 in 3 with Rochester. Greenway has been out since January due to a lower body injury that has been plaguing him all year. The return of a relatively healthy Greenway could add an additional physical presence on the 4th line. I pity the defenseman that has to retrieve a puck with either Greenway or Malenstyn breathing down your neck. If he’s mostly healthy, Greenway is an intriguing depth option for Buffalo.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards

Krebs – Thompson – Tuch
Zucker – McLeod – Quinn
Benson – Norris – Doan
Greenway* – Carrick – Malenstyn

Defense

Samuelsson – Dahlin
Power – Byram
Stanley – Metsa*

Starter: Luukkonen

*Lindy Ruff said that Jordan Greenway and Zach Metsa are each “Definitely an option” tonight – per Heather Engel

New York Islanders

Forwards

Lee – Horvat – Heineman
Ritchie – Schenn – Barzal
Palat – Pageau – Holmstrom
Maclean – Cizikas – Gatcomb

Defense

Schaefer – Pulock
Pelech – Soucy
Mayfield – Boqvist

Starter: Rittich

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