The Buffalo Sabres (20-44-8) have finally come to the end of their five-game road trip. On Thursday, the Sabres will be in Nashville to take on the Predators from the Bridgestone Arena.
The Sabres are coming off of another shutout loss at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. The Sabres lost 2-0 for the second straight matchup against the Canadiens, their last coming March 16 at the First Niagara Center.
Ted Nolan was not pleased with the performance from his team tonight, especially on the discipline side of the game.
“It’s those bad penalties again,” Nolan said. “One guy goes to the penalty box and bangs [the door] like a 5-year-old child and gets another two [minutes]. So that puts us in trouble. Then we get a couple of other ones for high sticking and reaching from behind, and those are the type of plays that shows you’re behind in the play.”
Matt Hackett was impressive once again for the Sabres, making 33 saves on 35 shots faced. In two games played, Hackett has stopped 68 shots on 71 shots faced. Hackett has posted a .958 save % and a 1.50 GAA since being recalled from Rochester on March 17.
For the Predators, they are coming off of a 5-4 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night. The Predators have gone 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, but have not won on home ice since February 27 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Buffalo is continuing to suffer with injuries on both sides of the ice. Tyler Myers returned from injury on Tuesday only to re-injure himself the same night. Torrey Mitchell also injured himself in Tuesday’s game with an undisclosed injury. Both Mitchell and Myers are both out for Thursday’s game. Zenon Konopka missed Tuesday’s game with back spasms and could miss Thursday’s game as well. Michal Neuvirth, Jhonas Enroth, Alex Sulzer, and Zemgus Girgensons are still in Buffalo awaiting their team’s arrival.
For Nashville, rookie defenseman Seth Jones is out for Thursday’s game with concussion-like symptoms. Forward Patrick Eaves will miss Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury, while former Sabres’ forward Paul Gaustad is also likely to miss Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury.
Matt Hackett is going to get his second straight start for the Sabres, while Carter Hutton will start for the Predators as they rest Pekka Rinne.
Opening faceoff is set for 8 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on MSG Network and WGR 550 AM.