Main storyline: The Buffalo Sabres (3-9-2, 8 points) host the Edmonton Oilers (4-8-1, 13 points) at the First Niagara Center tonight. While the Oilers allow a lot of goals, a league-worst 3.62 per game, they have the talent up front to put a few pucks in the net.
Season series: This is the first of two matchups this season. Buffalo will travel to Edmonton on January 29, 2015 to close out the season series at Rexall Place.
Where they stand: As of this game, the Buffalo Sabres are in 30th place, with 8 points in 14 games. On the opposite side of the ice, this young season has not been kind to Edmonton, as they come into town with a record of 4-8-1 (9 points in 13 games). The Oilers currently sit in 27th place in the National Hockey League.
Recent performance: Buffalo is looking to right the ship, after their 2-1 shootout loss to Montreal on Wednesday night. The Sabres are still struggling to find offense, 7 goals in last 6 games, but tonight might be the night where they see a few things click.
Buffalo notes: Goaltender Michal Neuvirth will make his 6th start tonight goal. Neuvirth has started 6 of the last 9 games for Buffalo, as it appears he is taking over the battle for the starting goaltender role with the Sabres. Defenseman Tyler Myers is 1 assist away from 100 in his career. Forward Drew Stafford needs 1 goal to take sole possession of 18th all-time in franchise history (139 goals).
Opponent notes: Edmonton comes into town, fresh off a 5-2 loss to Boston last night. They are losers of 4 straight games. The Oilers are without leading point scorer Taylor Hall (10 points in 11 games), after he suffered a knee sprain last week.
Conclusion: The Sabres continue their homestand, and continue the search for their missing goal scoring. Puck drops shortly after 7 PM, and the game will be broadcast on MSG.