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3 Buffalo Sabres to watch in tonight’s game against New Jersey

By Jack Gorman

Mar 31, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian (47) celebrates with goalie Chad Johnson (31) after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian (47) celebrates with goalie Chad Johnson (31) after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tonight the Buffalo Sabres are trying to avoid being swept by the New Jersey Devils. Both of the Sabres loses to the Devils came earlier in the season and at home. In the first game the Sabres lost a close game 4-3 where Adam Henrique scored two goals and added an assist. While in the second game the Devils shut out the Sabres 2-0 Cory Schneider faced 25 shots from the Sabres and turned them all away. So I will highlight three players that will be the key to the Sabres avoiding a season sweep from the New Jersey Devils aren’t in playoff contetion.

1. Chad Johnson

Apr 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Chad Johnson (31) makes a save during the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Chad Johnson (31) makes a save during the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Chad Johnson will be a key to the game. He is having a career season by posting a career best by having 21 wins so far with three more games left this season. Johnson has been a consistent player for the Sabres this season with all the injuries that have happened with Robin Lehner and competing with Linus Ullmark when Lehner was out with his first ankle injury. Johnson has posted a .919 save percentage while having a 2.39 goals against average. I think that he will be key because his play can allow the team to be aggressive on offense and play the game that has led them to be 6-2-2 in the last 10 games. He has to control his rebounds and stay square to the shots.

2. Jack Eichel

Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres /

Jack Eichel has been most or all that he was advertised last year coming out of college. Eichel is second on the team and with rookies by having 52 points in 78 games during his first season in Buffalo. Eichel is currently fifth on the list of points for a rookie for the Buffalo Sabres. Eichel had a beautiful assist in the win against the New York Rangers. Eichel is definitely a game changer and a key to most games his speed can be turned on at any moment to pass a defender that doesn’t have his feet moving. Then he can release a wicked wrist shot that is hard to save for goalie.

3.  Justin Bailey

Feb 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (74) chases down Buffalo Sabres right wing Justin Bailey (56) in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (74) chases down Buffalo Sabres right wing Justin Bailey (56) in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

In only eight games played with the Sabres this season Bailey got recalled from Rochester this morning. Bailey has no points yet with the Major league club but has been tearing it up in Rochester as he’s scored  nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 15 games. I would agree with Richard Spalding  that the Sabres should keep Bailey the Western New York Native in Buffalo for the remainder of the season to play young guys like Hudson Fasching, Casey Nelson, and Jack Eichel. I look for Justin Bailey to get his first goal tonight in New Jersey. Bailey worked and played really hard for his first eight games in Buffalo.

After tonight’s game the Sabres will have two more games left this season one against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home which is their home finale and then they finish the season against the New York Islanders in New York.

The Buffalo Sabres can end at a much improved .500 team with 82 points if they don’t lose any games in regulation which is a long distance away from last years 51 loss and a dismal 54 point season.

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