Buffalo Sabres head to Arizona to start 5 game road trip

The Buffalo Sabres are headed west for a 5 game road trip starting with Saturday night’s matchup with the Arizona Coyotes.

The results are mixed after 4 games for the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres split there first 2 games of the season with wins over the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights (who the Sabres will play on Tuesday) and losses to the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche.

The Sabres were significantly outperformed in the losses, being outscored 10-1 by their opponents. Additionally, they were outscored 5-0 in the first period.

There was an air of excitement heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Avalanche. Special teams were clicking, Jack Eichel was coming off 2 straight strong performances, and Carter Hutton had yet to have a bad game.

The Sabres were never in the game against the Avalanche and ultimately lost 6-1. Hutton was in net for all 6 goals but remained optimistic after the game as the club prepares for their upcoming road trip:

“We have a really good group in here. We’re going to bounce back here, guys have to learn how to do that. I think we’ll take pride in coming back here tomorrow and going to work and taking it on the road here.” – Carter Hutton

Sabres head coach Phil Housley shuffled the lines again at practice on Friday. Casey Mittelstadt was moved up to center a line with Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner. Mittelstadt has only one assist and Jeff Skinner has yet to notch his first point as a Sabre. Housley commented on Skinner and Mittelstadt playing together:

“I think just trying to get somebody that thinks the game like him (Skinner). I really like the way he’s working, his forechecking, he steals pucks and he strips pucks and the way he’s coming back into our zone. There’s just nothing evolving from that point.” – Phil Housley

Vladimir Sobotka, dealing with an upper body injury suffered in the opening night loss to the Bruins, skated with Patrik Berglund, Tage Thompson and Johan Larsson in practice and traveled with the team to Arizona. Phil Housley has yet to say if Sobotka will be in the lineup on Saturday.

Speaking of injured Buffalo Sabres, Zach Bogosian also traveled with the team to Arizona. Bogosian has yet to play this season and was moved to IR on Thursday when Johan Larsson was activated. Bogosian has been skating with the team since Wednesday and is probably a safe bet to see action on the road trip.

This road trip will also be the first time we see Linus Ullmark in net for the Sabres this season. Housley has said that Ullmark will play on the trip but did not commit to tonight’s game with the Coyotes. Ullmark is ready to see his first action but isn’t expressing any frustration:

“I’m not getting frustrated by sitting on the side. It’s nice to be winning games. Huts is playing good. I’m not going to be a sour guy and be grumpy. … I’m just going to be the same guy I always am, very supportive, very happy.” – Linus Ullmark

The upcoming road trip includes 5 games against Pacific Division opponents, closing out with brutal back-to-back games with the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Tonight’s foe, the Arizona Coyotes, have started the season with a 1-2 record. The Coyotes beat the Ducks in a shootout in their last game.

Antti Rannta has been in net for all 3 games this for the Coyotes and has only allowed 5 goals so far this season. He hasn’t received much his support from his offense as the Coyotes were shut out in their first 2 games.

Missing for the Arizona Coyotes will be their biggest acquisition of the offseason, Alex Galchenyuk. The Coyotes sent Max Domi to Montreal in June to acquire the forward however Galchenyuk was placed on injured reserve in September with an injured groin.

Tonight’s game is at 9:00 and can be seen on MSG and heard on WGR 550. The Buffalo Sabres’ next game will be on Tuesday in Vegas against the Golden Knights.