Buffalo Sabres Pregame Skate: Pittsburgh Penguins

Standing at 2-8-1, the Buffalo Sabres just can’t seem to figure it out.

Oct 30, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing

Marcus Foligno

(82) shoots the puck and the save is made by Boston Bruins goalie

Niklas Svedberg

(72) during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

They opened on a three game losing streak, earned their first win against the team that currently trails them in the standings in a 3-2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes, then went on another losing skid before knocking off the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in the Shark Tank before starting another losing skid.

All seemed like it was getting on the right track, before being shut out for the fourth time this season and sacrificing a one-goal lead two times in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins.

At least they got a point.

Buffalo now turns their attention to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are situated nicely at the top of the Metropolitan Division.

In the past 10 games against the Penguins, Buffalo is 4-6-0 against Pittsburgh. Tonight’s matchup is the first of three in the season series, the first being in the Consol Energy Center.

To compare, through 11 games, the Buffalo Sabres have a total of 13 goals coming into tonight. The two biggest names in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, have combined for a total of 11 goals through the opening portion of this season.

Buffalo has already made their decision about Sam Reinhart, before his contract was activated following his small tryout that was extended. His reassignment to the Kootenay Ice has the coaching and front office staff believing that he will grow and develop more for when Buffalo will actually use him, not stuff him on the fourth line and hopes that something clicks. The only bump in the road is that it is the Kootenay Ice, who are lacking nearly as bad as Buffalo with a 3-13 record.

This does, however, open the option on Nikita Zadorov

The 19-year old has played just as many games as goal John Scott had goals last year, earning a total of 6:12 in ice time and one shot in the 2-0 loss to the LA Kings. On the plus side, Zadorov wasn’t on the ice at any point during the Kings’ goals.

But with time like that, who really counts him anyways? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? No? Ok.

It’s unclear whether or not Zadorov gets a nod tonight or tomorrow against the Detroit Red Wings, it is clear that Nolan had the plan to use Reinhart and then turn his focus on Zadorov once Reinhart went to Kootenay.

Zadorov has the ability to become a high-end defenseman, the only problem is he is fighting a defense that doesn’t quite seem to have it together, and with SKA St. Petersburg possessing his rights, he can’t be sent back to the London Knights, or Buffalo loses him for the rest of the season.

Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Either play for Buffalo or play for SKA and unlikely to return to Buffalo. This loses him to a team that is thousands of miles compared to just a jump over the pond to London.

Simply put, but still confusing. He’s too good for the OHL, not good enough for the NHL, too young for the AHL and if we send him to London, we lose him to the KHL.

For now, consider anything in the near future a cahnce for Zadorov to prove he is the right piece here. He can’t afford to deal with the negativity of the background situation. For him to find a home here, he needs to focus on the basics, and excelling at them.

The same can be said for Reinhart, but luckily, we don’t lose him to the KHL.

Jhonas Enroth gets his second consecutive start, coming in with a chip on his shoulder from Thursday’s game against Boston.

Brian Gionta, although with the Canadiens, leads the Sabres with 38 career points in 52 games against the Penguins. Cody Hodgson has four points in four games against the Penguins and even though he is sitting on fourth line duty, we can only hope we see that streak continue.

Hopefully Ted Nolan has some tricks up his sleeve that can stifle the fire in the Penguins locker room just enough to walk out of Pittsburgh with some clearer heads, a different attitude and some points in hand.

Don’t forget to make your way over to make your picks for tonights matchup, and come back tonight after the game and many days after tat for your Sabres needs on Sabrenoise.com.