It doesn’t get any easier for the Buffalo Sabres tonight as they battle the defending Stanley Cup champs, the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sabres are still looking for their first win of this young season after a 0-4-1 start in their first five games.
With the shortened season last year wreaking havoc on the NHL schedule, this will be the Sabres first visit to the United Center since January of 2012.
The Buffalo Sabres are coming off another disappointing loss, this time at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-1. Once again, the Sabres failed to muster any consistent offense, and continued their dismal streak of averaging only one goal per game.
With such a poor start to the season there have been a few bright spots on the team. Marcus Foligno and Zemgus Girgensons have been bringing their upbeat tempo and physical play to the team each shift that they are on the ice, while Thomas Vanek and Cody Hodgson continue to be the only offensive bright spots on the team. The entire Sabre team has totaled 13 points in their first five games and the Vanek-Hodgson duo has accounted for eight of them.
Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres have to get much better in their own end and especially in front of their goaltender. Defensemen Tyler Myers and Mike Weber have a combined -15 in the plus/minus column, and going up against the potent Blackhawks who are averaging 3.3 goals per game, it’s critical to tighten up in their own zone.
As poor of a start to the season as its been for the Sabres, picking up two points in tonight’s contest would actually put them back near the middle of the pack in the Atlantic Division, along with picking up some much needed confidence.
Joel Quenneville and his Chicago Blackhawks look to be the first team since the 1997/1998 Detroit Red Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. Chicago is off to a mediocre start to the season with a 2-1-1 record.
Last night the Blackhawks handed the New York Islanders their first loss of the season by a 3-2 score. Unlike the Sabres, Chicago has a much more balanced scoring attack with Buffalo native Patrick Kane and left winger Brandon Saad leading the way with four points each.
After tonight’s contest the two teams will meet once more on March 9th at the First Niagara Center. This evening’s game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.