Buffalo Sabres Vs. Edmonton Oilers: The Battle Of Last Place
The Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers will be in a battle worth watching tonight. They face off tonight in Rextall Place and this game means a lot more than most people realize. The Sabres currently sit in last place with 31 points and an overall record of 14-31-3, while the Oilers are in second last place with 33 points and a record of 12-27-9. This game tonight will mark either the Sabres dropping their 12 game losing streak and getting out of last place, or it will see the Oilers take a further lead in the standings.
The Buffalo Sabres have had success over the years while playing in Edmonton by not having lost there since 2003 (Sabres.com) and it would make sense that they can beat a team that is struggling even more than they are (and yes I mean that).
Sabres Scope
The Sabres have had slow production from the offense this year, but a man that has quietly led them by being second in scoring is Drew Stafford. Stafford sits tied for second on the team with 22 points (he is tied with Zemgus Girgensons) and he has played the role of a set up man by being second to Tyler Ennis in assists with 15. Drew Stafford scored in the Sabres last game against the Oilers this season and there is good reason to believe that he will again tonight.
Stafford played on a line with Chris Stewart and Cody Hodgson in Tuesday’s game against the Flames and despite Stewart being the only of the three to score a goal that night, as a unit they were doing quite well. Cody Hodgson in particular was playing with speed and a willingness to shoot the puck. Combine that with Stafford’s poise in the game and they will be a good line to produce tonight. Add in Stewart’s big body presence in front of the net and that line had great potential tonight.
Jhonas Enroth will be starting tonight and we will see how he does against a deplorable Oilers team. If he isn’t left out to dry against the skilled Oilers offense then he should do fine.
Oilers Scope
The Oilers are still at the bottom of the league despite having top level talent in their offense. Their weakness is in their goaltending and defensive coverage. If the Sabres can penetrate through that and get some quality scoring chances, they will be able to bury a good goal against goaltender Ben Scrivens.
Predictions
I’ll say that there is a 50/50 shot here tonight. The Buffalo Sabres and Oilers are desperate for a win and it will all boil down to who strikes first.
If the Sabres have production from the Hodgson, Stafford, Stewart line and they are responsible in front of Enroth then I see them winning tonight by a score of 4-2, but if they cannot contain the offensive force of the Oilers then they will find themselves in a deep hole in a 4-1 loss. Let’s all hope for the first option shall we? I know I will be.
LET”S GO BUFFALO!
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