Edmonton Oilers (9-7-4) vs. Buffalo Sabres (6-8-4)
Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | KeyBank Center | Buffalo, NY
TV: MSG-B
Know Your Opponent
Edmonton Oilers
Record: 9-7-4 | 22 PTS
Last Game: 4-3 OT Win vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Division Ranking: 4th in Pacific Division
PP: 3rd (31.4%)
PK: T9th (82.7%)
What to Watch
1. Triple Threat
The Oilers have been a competitive team for several years now and there are three players in particular to watch. Obviously, Connor McDavid continues to be a force. The captain scored twice against Carolina on Saturday night – once on the power play and once at even strength – and earned the primary assist on Leon Draisaitl’s game-winner in overtime. Speaking of Draisaitl, that was his 13th goal – the most for Edmonton so far this season. He now holds the honor of having the most overtime goals (20) and game-winning goals (73) in Edmonton history. Draisaitl is now 4th in NHL history with overtime winners.
And, third on the list of players to watch, is none other than Zach Hyman. The winger recently returned from a long-term injury sustained in the spring – a dislocated wrist that needed extensive rehab. His presence was also felt against a very good Carolina team on Saturday with his 11 hits and an assist on McDavid’s second goal.
Sabres: be ready.
2. Focus on the Positive
Buffalo is entering tonight’s game having come off a huge win against Detroit Saturday night. The team fell 4-1 and somehow clawed its way back up from the gutter to snag an impressive comeback win in overtime, 5-4. Tage Thompson – with one goal and one assist – and Mattias Samuelsson – with the overtime, game-winning goal – were huge catalysts for that victory and the team should look to carry that momentum into their matchup against Edmonton tonight. All of that paired with the return of captain Rasmus Dahlin following his leave of absence should hopefully get the team back on track, despite being plagued with injuries (more on that below).
3. Depleted Roster Gets Worse
One of the many roadblocks in the Sabres’ way this season has been the never-ending injuries. It seems as if they take a step forward, and another injury sets them back five paces. The list was already a mile long with Jason Zucker battling an illness for weeks now as well as Jiri Kulich (“significant time” with a blood clot), Zach Benson (lower-body), Josh Norris (upper-body), and Justin Danforth (lower body) missing several games. The list, unfortunately, continues to grow as defenseman Michael Kesselring left Saturday’s game during the second period after a big hit causing a lower-body injury. Forward Tyson Kozak also left Saturday’s game after blocking a shot, though his injury does not seem as serious. The remaining players are really going to have to step it up offensively, defensively, physically, with special teams, etc. if they want to turn this rough start around.
Projected Lineups (updated 2:30p ET)
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Josh Doan – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Isak Rosen – Ryan McLeod – Jack Quinn
Jordan Greenway – Tyson Kozak – Peyton Krebs
Josh Dunne – Noah Ostlund – Beck Malenstyn
Defense
Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin
Bowen Byram – Conor Timmins
Owen Power – Jacob Bryson
Goaltenders: Colten Ellis (confirmed), Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Edmonton Oilers
Forwards
Matthew Savoie – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Jack Roslovic
Andrew Mangiapane – Adam Henrique – Trent Frederic
Mattias Janmark – Noah Philp – Curtis Lazar
Defense
Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse – Jake Walman
Brett Kulak – Alec Regula
Goaltenders: Calvin Pickard, Stuart Skinner (confirmed)
