Buffalo Sabres (49-23-8) at Chicago Blackhawks (28-38-14)
Puck Drop: 7:30 PM | United Center | Chicago, IL
TV: MSG-B, ESPN+
Radio: WGR 550
Know Your Opponent
Chicago Blackhawks
Record: 28-38-14 | 70 PTS
Division Ranking: 8th in Central Division
Last Game: 5-3 Loss vs St. Louis Blues
PP: 28th (17.5%) | Sabres Rank: 18th (19.9%)
PK: 2nd (83.6%) | Sabres Rank: 6th (81.6%)
What to Watch
1. Clinching Scenarios
The Sabres have had an excellent season with a chance to make it special. They have a chance to clinch home ice in the first round and potentially the division tonight.
- They secure home ice in round one of the playoffs if they win in any fashion or
- Lose in OT/Shootout and the Lightning lose in regulation.
The two divisional clinching scenarios are as follows
- Sabres win in any fashion and Lightning lose in any fashion or
- Sabres win in regulation and Lightning win in OT/Shootout
There will be significant scoreboard watching by fans, but the easiest way to bring in the playoff run with home ice advantage is to win tonight.
2. How the Turntables
The Blackhawks are a team with nothing to lose. They are last in their division by 10 points and are likely booking tee times later this week. However, a team with nothing to lose is a wild card. The pressure is off, and they can play loose. There will be players fighting for contracts who will treat the last few games like their life deepens on it. The Sabres need a good start to curb any enthusiasm or optimism their opponents might get off an early lead. The Sabres are only too familiar with how teams out of it can surprise playoff teams. Fortunately, they are on the playoff team side of the equation this year.
3. Even Distribution
With the playoffs secured and home ice within reach, the Sabres would be wise to roll all lines against the Blackhawks. They have a great incentive to win tonight based on the clinching scenarios, but this is not a night someone like Dahlin should be playing for 30 minutes. Ice time should be spread out to ensure everyone is fresh and ready for the playoffs. The coaching staff will be wise not to burn out their top performers tonight.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Krebs – Thompson – Tuch
Benson – Norris – Doan
Zucker – McLeod – Quinn
Greenway – Kozak – Malenstyn
Defense
Samuelsson – Dahlin
Byram – Power
Stanley – Metsa
Starter: Luukkonen
Chicago Blackhawks
Forwards
Greene – Bedard – Lardis
Bertuzzi – Frondell – Mikheyev
Donato – Nazar – Burakovsky
Mangiapane – Boisvert – Teravainen
Defense
Vlasic – Crevier
Kaiser – Rinzel
Korchinski – Lafferty
Starter: Knight
