Main storyline: After 38 days and 14 losses, the Buffalo Sabres (15-33-3) have finally won a game in the 2015 calendar year. On Thursday, the Sabres will face the red-hot St. Louis Blues (33-13-4) at the First Niagara Center in the team’s first home game since January 17.
Season series: Thursday’s matchup will be the second and final meeting between the Sabres and Blues. The only other meeting between the two teams came on November 11 when the Blues beat the Sabres 6-1 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Jori Lehtera led the way for the Blues scoring a natural hat-trick, while Brain Elliott made 28 saves in the win. The Sabres have not beaten the Blues since December 27, 2009 when Buffalo won in St. Louis 5-3.
Where they stand: The Sabres still sit last in the conference in the league with 33 points on the season, but remain just four points behind 29th place Edmonton, who lost last night to the Pittsburgh Penguins at home 2-0. For the Blues, the team sits second in the Central Division, and third in the Western Conference and the NHL. The Blues have won six straight games, and have won 12 of its last 14 games dating back to January 2, 2015.
Recent performance: The Sabres have officially snapped its terrible losing streak of 14 games with the win on Tuesday in Montréal. Goals by Drew Stafford, Matt Moulson, and Brian Gionta helped get Buffalo out to a 3-1 lead after the first period. The three-goal first period was all the team needed to preserve the win as Jhonas Enroth made 34 saves on 36 shots faced to hold down the Canadiens rush in the third period. For the Blues, the team last played Tuesday and beat the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in overtime. Vladimir Tarasenko tied the game 1-1 with 3:10 left in the third period. In overtime, Jaden Schwartz scored the game-winning goal just 1:16 into the extra frame to give the Blues a sixth straight win.
Buffalo notes: The Sabres sure know how to get off to quick starts, but somehow lose all control in the third period. For six straight games, Buffalo scored the first goal of the game to give Buffalo an early lead. But once the third period begins, the team seems to lose composure and crumble under the pressure. Just in the third period alone, the Sabres were a minus-52 in Corsi against the Canadiens. Jhonas Enroth was Buffalo’s best player on the ice on Tuesday, and was the real reason the Sabres snapped its losing streak. The Sabres still sit in last place in most statistical categories this season with the exception of the penalty kill (which is 29th in the league). Buffalo has sent Matt Hackett back to Rochester on Wednesday, which means Michal Neuvirth is back and healthy. Marcus Foligno’s status is still unclear, as he remains out with his broken hand following a fight in Boston in December. Enroth is expected to start in net for the Sabres once again.
Opponent notes: The start of 2015 has been great for the Blues, as the team sits atop the NHL as one of the best teams. The Blues sit sixth in the league for shots per game, fifth in the league for fewest shots against, fifth in fewest goals against, and second in powerplay. With the team’s top players like T.J. Oshie and David Backes firing on all cylinders, the “young guns” playing like veterans, and superb goaltending from Brian Elliott and Jake Allen, St. Louis could be a dangerous contender come April and May for the Stanley Cup. Vladimir Tarasenko leads the Blues in points with 51 (26 goals and 25 assists), as Alex Steen (43 points) and Jaden Schwatrz (41 points) are right behind him. The Blues will be without its leading defender in Kevin Shattenkirk, who will be out week-to-week following abdominal surgery. Jori Lehtera (concussion symptoms) and Patrik Berglund (shoulder) are currently listed as day-to-day and could play against Buffalo on Thursday. Brian Elliott is expected to start again for the Blues after a 30 save performance against Tampa Bay.
Conclusion: The Sabres will try to end the Blues’ hot streak, and make it two straight wins since December, when the Sabres won four straight games. Opening face-off is scheduled for 7pm, and can be seen on MSG Network