The Sabres return home tonight to begin a five game homestand, starting with a Tampa Bay team that just handed Buffalo a 3-0 shutout. Despite the loss, the Sabres took six out of a possible eight points on the four game road trip.
Along with the shutout, Thomas Vanek’s six game point streak came to a halt, but he will look to start a new one tonight. In 25 games against the Lightning, Vanek has scored 22 goals and 29 points.
Buffalo bring in a 5-2 record, but have played just one game at the First Niagara Center.
Tyler Ennis suffered a high ankle sprain and is considered “week-to-week”. Jochen Hecht will likely be able to play by the end of this week. Stepping in and earning a call from Rochester is forward Matt Ellis.
Jhonas Enroth is also likely to get a start either tonight or on Thursday against Columbus.
Lightning head coach Guy Boucher has yet to confirm whom he will go with in net tonight. Mathieu Garon is coming off a shutout and has been putting him solid numbers this season, while expected starter Dwayne Roloson has struggled out of the gate.
The Sabres come into this game trailing first-place Toronto by one point, but have a game in hand. The Maple Leafs were doubled up, 4-2, by Philadelphia on Monday.
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