Main storyline: With two games left in the 2014-15 season, the Buffalo Sabres (23-49-8) are on the road for on last trip away from the First Niagara Center. On Friday, the Sabres are in Columbus, Ohio to battle the Columbus Blue Jackets (40-35-5) at Nationwide Arena.
Season series: Friday’s matchup is the third and final game between the Sabres and Jackets this year. Both teams have split the season series to this point, with the most recent game going to the Sabres back on February 24 in Columbus. Buffalo got two goals in the first period and second period, while Michal Neuvirth made 45 saves to help the Sabres over the Jackets 4-2. The other meeting was the season opener back in October when Columbus came in to Buffalo and grabbed its opening win 3-1.
Where they stand: The race for last place could get very interesting on Friday if the Sabres beat the Blue Jackets. Buffalo currently sits in last place by two points over the Arizona Coyotes with a game in hand on the Coyotes. If the Sabres lose in either of the final two games remaining, Buffalo will clinch 30th place and have the chance to take either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in the draft. If the Sabres win both games, Buffalo would need a Coyotes win on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks in order to secure last place. For the Blue Jackets, they have been out of the playoff race for a while now, but that is not stopping the team from finishing the season on a high note. Columbus has won 10 of its last eleven games, which included a nine game win streak in the process. The Blue Jackets also have two games remaining in its season.
Recent performance: Monday night was the first night the Sabres could have clinched last place with a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the Sabres got four goals in the first two periods, and Anders Lindback made 49 saves on 52 shots faced to beat the Hurricanes 4-3. For the Jackets, after falling to the New York Rangers in overtime on Monday to snap its nine game winning streak, Columbus was at home to host the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. The Jackets stormed out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and added two more goals in the second period. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 35 shots that came his way as the Jackets blanked the Leafs 5-0.
Buffalo notes: The Sabres wrap its road schedule on Friday in Columbus, and the Sabres are looking to spoil the home finale for the Blue Jackets for the second time in five years. However, the season on the road for Buffalo has not been too kind for the team. The Sabres currently sit 9-28-3 on the road, which is a slight step up from last year’s 8-30-3 record away from home. If the Sabres lose, they finish last for the second straight season. If the Sabres win, their chances of not finishing 30th remain and the team will be tied with the Coyotes for last place heading into the final night of the year on Saturday. The Coyotes do hold the tie breaker on the Sabres due to the more regulation / overtime wins the Coyotes have on the Sabres. Before today’s game, the Sabres recalled defenseman Chad Ruhwedel from the Rochester Americans on emergency basis and will fill in for Andre Benoit who is out with a lower-body injury. Benoit is not expected to dress for Saturday night’s finale against the Penguins. Anders Lindback is expected to get the nod for the Sabres once again in net.
Columbus notes: The Blue Jackets could have been a playoff team this season if it were not for early injuries in the season that impacted the team’s star players. This season, the Blue Jackets have totaled over 500 man games lost due to injuries this season. Players like Boone Jenner, Ryan Murray, Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Scott Hartnell, and Ryan Johansen have missed significant amount of time this year for the Jackets, which left the team hanging out to dry. Now all these players are healthy and playing to their full potential, which is resulting in wins for the Jackets. Next season, the hope is that these players will be healthy and will be ready to make another playoff run similar to last year. For Friday’s game, Bobrovsky is projected to get the start for the Jackets in the team’s home finale.
Conclusion: Can the Sabres swing one last win on the road to close out the road portion of the schedule, or will the Blue Jackets get its eleventh win in 12 games and close out its home schedule on a high note. Opening face-off is scheduled for 7pm, and the game can be seen on MSG Network.