Main storyline: The Buffalo Sabres (20-45-7) continue on its road trip which started with the Sabres being shutout 3-0 in Nashville. On Monday, Buffalo is in Dallas with another matchup with a familiar friend in Lindy Ruff and the Stars (34-28-10) at the American Airlines Arena.
Season series: Monday is the second and final meeting between the Sabres and Stars. The only other game between the two squads came back on February 7 when the Sabres got a 3-2 victory at home against Anders Lindback when he was with Dallas. Buffalo got goals from Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons, and former Sabre Tyler Myers while, now Stars goaltender, Jhonas Enroth made 38 saves on 40 shots faced to help Buffalo get the win.
Where they stand: With 10 games left in the season, the Sabres continue to sit in last place in the NHL standings, just three points behind the Arizona Coyotes for 29th place. The Coyotes will next play on Tuesday against the Red Wings in Detroit before making a trip to Buffalo on Thursday to play the first or two games against the Sabres. For the Stars, the team sits last in the Central Division, but only remain eight points out of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference with 10 games to go in the season.
Recent performance: The Sabres were shutout for a franchise record 12th time this season on Saturday night in Nashville against the Predators. Buffalo was outshot 43-24 in the contest, but Buffalo peppered Pekka Rinne with some quality opportunities throughout the game. Rinne turned away all 24 shots that came his way while getting goals from Taylor Beck, Craig Smith, and Mike Fisher. For Dallas, its last game also came Saturday with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Kari Lehtonen stopped all 33 shots that came his way, while getting two goals in the first period, and two more in the third from his offense.
Buffalo notes: With 10 games left to go in a disappointing 2014-15 season, the Sabres continue to struggle on the ice. Buffalo has lost nine of its last 10 games, and have not been getting the offensive or defensive support to help out whoever is in the net. Buffalo has continued to get some impressive goaltending performances this season from players like Jhonas Enroth (now with Dallas), Michal Neuvirth (now with the Islanders), and now Anders Lindback and Matt Hackett. Since arriving in Buffalo, Lindback’s statistics have dramatically improved from when he was in Dallas. Hackett may have only had a few starts this season, but he made 40 saves on 43 shots faced on Saturday in Nashville. Lindback is expected to return to the net for the Sabres on Monday to face his former team in Dallas. Also, the Sabres have recalled Tim Schaller from the Rochester Americans on an emergency basis, and will play on Monday in place of Jerry D’Amigo.
Dallas notes: The 2014-15 season for the Stars has been disappointing to say the least. Dallas has gotten some impressive performances from its offensive weapons like captain Jamie Benn, Jason Spezza, and Tyler Seguin. However, injuries, some defensive breakdowns, and some problems in the net have cost the Stars many games this season. The defensive core for the Stars is young and promising, but has been known to leave the team vulnerable at the wrong time. At the same time, the Kari Lehtonen has had an off season compared to an almost career year last year with the Stars, and Jhonas Enroth has been anything but impressive since being acquired by the Stars in February. But the Stars have been hot lately by winning two straight games, and seven of its last 1o games. The Stars are only eight points out of a playoff spot with 10 games left, but if we have learned anything with Lindy Ruff is that he knows how to get his players to work when it comes down to the wire at the end of the year. Lehtonen will get the start in net for Dallas after coming off his shutout against the Blackhawks.
Conclusion: Buffalo looks to get back on the winning track, while the Stars look to continue its winning ways at home. Opening face-off is set for 8:30pm, and the game can be seen on MSG Network.