Buffalo Sabres Pre-Game Skate

The Buffalo Sabres are in action for the first time this season tonight and their opponents are the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sabres hope to prove the worth of their new acquisitions and their youth, while the Blue Jackets look to reboud from a first round exit in last year’s playoffs.

Starting Lineups

After a long summer and hard work through training camp, Samson Reinhart will be in the starting lineup for the Buffalo Sabres tonight. He will be featured on a line with Cody Hodgson and newly named captain Brian Gionta. The top line will be the dynamic trio of last season: Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford, and Matt Moulson, and defense will be manned by Tyler Myers and Josh Gorges as the top pair.

The Blue Jackets had a tough time negotiating with their budding star Ryan Johanson before the season started, but they have him signed and ready to play. After a first round exit in the playoffs last year, the Blue Jackets will look to bounce back with their young core and make another run at the playoffs.

Starting Goaltenders will be Jhonas Enroth for the Sabres and Sergei Bobrovski for the Jackets.

Injuries

For the Buffalo Sabres is Forwards Patrick Kaleta and  Johan Larsson, alongside defensemen Jake McCabe and Mark Pysyk. It is still uncertain as to whether or not they will all remain in Buffalo for the season, but for now they are on the injury list.

The Blue Jackets injury list features Brandon Dubinsky, Brian Gibbons, Nathan Horton, Boone Jenner, Sonny Milano, and Ryan Murray. Not having Murray will open up the blue line and may be a weak point exploited by the Sabres. Milano is one of the more highly touted young players on Columbus so there is another vacancy that could hurt the Blue Jackets.

Overview

Ted Nolan chose his captains only a few days ago and hopes to have them lead this team through the process of winning games this year; choosing Gionta, Moulson, and Gorges to lead. Having made distinct comments about what he saw in Enroth’s attitude and why he earned the starting job, Nolan is showing that he has confidence in his goaltender and his veteran group to win games.

Sam Reinhart will have the shining opportunity to show the Buffalo Fans why he was picked at the #2 slot this past June. Having endured the rigors of training camp and coming out to make the roster will give him his chance to shine. Having him play alongside Gionta and Hodgson will only help him.

The Blue Jackets are hungry and itching for another crack at the playoffs so expect them to come out with everything they have. The Sabres core will match it with their push to prove that they are much better than last season’s showing.

Expect fireworks and high energy tonight

Player To Watch

As obvious as it may sound, keep a close eye out for Samson Reinhart. He is the player with the most to prove and expect him to be putting forth his full efforts on every shift. Since he is skating with higher profile players, expect him to get a reasonable amount of ice time. Keep an eye out for his positioning and how he always seems to be where the puck is, or where it’s going to be. It’s incredible how true the idea actually is.