The Sabres play host to the New Jersey Devils, looking to end a four game losing streak. This is the third and final meeting between the clubs this season with each team taking one.
While this game has no implications for the future of Buffalo’s season, the players have the opportunity to prove to the newly-named full time head coach that they have a spot on this team. Tim Murray announced yesterday that the team had inked Ted Nolan to a three year deal.
Buffalo will look again to youth as they close out the season. Ristolainen has been playing a solid defensive game while producing offensively since being called up from the Rochester Americans; Girgensons and Flynn always provide the team with the high energy game that will give the team a chance to win, regardless of the raw talent on the team.
The Devils are struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive as the season winds down. They are the fifth team in the race for the top wildcard spot in the East.
They currently sit at 79 points, three points back of the second and final Wildcard spot which currently belongs to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Devils are coming off of a 6-3 routing of the Panthers last night. Zajac netted a hat trick while the team’s leading scorer Jagr potted a goal and three assists.
The Sabres will need to find a way to slow down a surging Devils’ offense. This will be no easy task as the Sabres are missing a few key players from their lineup.
The Sabres will be without Torrey Mitchell, Chris Stewart, Zenon Konopka, Tyler Myers, Alex Sulzer, Michal Neuvirth and Jhonas Enroth. Ville Leino has missed the past few games with an illness and is a possibility for tonight’s game against the Devils.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and can be seen on MSG and Bell-TV.