Buffalo Sabres Play Host to New York Islanders

Buffalo Sabres (15-24-8) vs. New York Islanders (17-19-6)

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST | KeyBank Middle | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG

Radio: WGR 550

SB Nation Islanders Weblog: Lighthouse Hockey

Table of Contents

Know Your Opponent

New York Islanders

Document: (17-19-6) | 40 PTS

Division Rating: sixth in Metropolitan

PP: twenty first (18.4%)

PK: ninth (82.7%)

1. Jeff Skinner, Objective Scoring King

Final trip, Jeff Skinner put up a career-high 4 objectives towards the Montreal Canadiens.

Skinner’s common season complete pushed to twenty objectives, marking the eighth time in his profession that he has surpassed that season purpose complete.

Skinner continues to thrive in Don Granato’s system, which is spectacular contemplating how a lot of wrestle Skinner had becoming in underneath former head coach Ralph Krueger.

Protected to say that the purpose scoring demise of Jeff Skinner has been drastically exaggerated.

2. A Profession Milestone

On Tuesday evening, defenseman Mark Pysyk will gown for and play in his five hundredth profession Nationwide Hockey League recreation.

Pysyk was a wholesome scratch for the Sabres final recreation towards the Montreal Canadiens and whereas no proof helps this thought course of, it seems that Pysyk was held out just so he might play his five hundredth recreation in entrance of the Sabres devoted.

Both means, Pysyk has performed 499 video games as of this preview – 292 with the Florida Panthers, 171 with the Buffalo Sabres (in two stints) and 36 with the Dallas Stars.

3. Hanging On For Pricey Life

Whereas the Buffalo Sabres expectations for a playoff berth heading into this season might need been thought of a pipe dream, expectations for a playoff berth had been very excessive for the New York Islanders.

Heading into the 2021-22 NHL season, the Islanders had made three straight postseason appearances.

Whereas attempting to stay as optimistic as attainable on behalf of Islanders followers, issues don’t look to promising for this season.

4 groups within the Metropolitan Division have already got 60+ factors every. With three of these groups being locked right into a playoff berth, that pushes the fourth group into the primary of two Jap Convention wild card berths.

New York has 40 factors in 42 video games heading into tonight’s matchup with the Sabres. The Islanders discover themselves chasing down the Boston Bruins, who’ve 57 factors in 46 video games.