Buffalo Sabres Kick Off Final Trio of Games

The Buffalo Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes in the penultimate game this season at First Niagara Center. After tonight’s game, the Sabres have just two games remaining in the season, including Saturday’s home finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Tonight’s game marks the third meeting between the Sabres and Hurricanes this season. The Sabres won the first meeting in a shootout, 4-3 on October 14, while the Hurricanes won the last matchup on January 8 by a score of 5-2.

Once again, it’ll be Anders Lindback in the cage for the Sabres, who will face a Hurricanes team coming off a 3-2 shootout victory over Philadelphia on Saturday. Tonight’s game is the first of three consecutive road games for the Hurricanes, who will put Cam Ward in net to face Buffalo.

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The Sabres are coming into tonight’s game on the heels of a two-game losing streak after falling to the Chicago Blackhawks and NY Islanders this past weekend.

Tonight’s game could be a key one for the Buffalo Sabres in the “race for 30th” and the best chance at getting a top draft pick in the draft lottery.

Coming into tonight’s game, both the Sabres and the Arizona Coyotes have three games remaining on the season. Arizona sits in 29th, four points ahead of Buffalo, and the Coyotes have more regulation & overtime victories than the Sabres.

That means: if the Sabres lose in regulation tonight, they’ll lock up the 30th place spot. If the Sabres win tonight, they’ll still be in 30th, but it will take more time to determine if they’ll stay there at the end of the season.

Of course, the Sabres are still facing many injuries in their roster. Defensemen Josh Gorges and Mike Weber are both out. Goaltenders Chad Johnson and Matt Hackett are still out as well, though Johnson did skate this morning on his own.

Forwards Cody McCormick, Evander Kane, Zemgus Girgensons and Jerry D’Amigo are also out. Matt Moulson, who missed the last two games with illness, skated this morning with the team.

With that, Zac Dalpe and Tim Schaller remain with the Sabres and both skated this morning with the team.

Andrey Makarov also remains with the Sabres, after playing in his first NHL game on Saturday. Makarov had 33 saves in Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Islanders.

Players to watch tonight for the Sabres include captain Brian Gionta, who leads the team with 27 points in 36 career games against Carolina. Matt Moulson has 17 points in his last 13 versus the Hurircanes, while Philip Varone has three points in two games against Carolina.

Gionta has also recorded 12 points (4-8) in his last 11 games overall, while defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has seven points (3-4) in his last five games.

For players to watch tonight for the Hurricanes, start with captain Eric Staal, who has 51 points (22-29) this season.

Defenseman Justin Faulk leads the team with 33 assists and overall has recorded 48 points in 78 games this season, while Elias Lindholm has 39 points (17-22) in 77 games. Left winger Jeff Skinner has 31 points (18-13) in 73 games.

There’s also a pair of former Buffalo Sabres players to watch tonight in the red and white. Nathan Gerbe has 26 points (9-17) in 74 games, while defenseman Andrej Sekera has 19 points (2-17) in 57 games.

Puck drop tonight is set for 7 p.m., but MSG will also have a pregame broadcast at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online here.

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