It won't be an easy task for the Sabres, who will be on the road while facing two Metropolitan Division opponents. The Sabres will take on the New York Islanders tonight, while facing a much improved New Jersey Devils team on Friday night. Buffalo needs to not look past these two opponents to the Winter Classic on Monday, January 1.
The Sabres will need to somehow stop the top six forwards of the Islanders since they have been their main point producers. Buffalo will need to be disciplined and stay out of the penalty box since the Isles power play is ranked in the top five of the NHL. The Sabres will need to force turnovers and have a good effort from start to finish, which includes getting in on the forecheck and winning board battles. Buffalo will need to limit their mistakes with and without the puck. The Sabres also need to get off to a fast start and play with some energy. Buffalo will need to get their road power play going since the Islanders home penalty kill is only operating at 76%.
The Islanders will need to force turnovers by getting in on the forecheck and playing a smart game in the neutral zone. New York will need to take advantage of when they are on the power play since the Sabres road penalty kill is only killing off 75% of the penalties taken. The Isles need to play their style of hockey and not play down to the level of their opponents. The Islanders will need to keep their foot on the gas pedal the whole game and not show a lack of effort at times. New York will need to have the lead entering the third and final period since the Sabres have only one regulation win when trailing after two periods.
On Friday night, the Sabres will take on the New Jersey Devils in their final game before the Winter Classic. Buffalo will need to get traffic in front of the net and get some second chances opportunities. The Sabres will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Devils have the tenth best power play in the League. Buffalo need to be better at even strength since the Devils have outscored opponents by five goals this year while playing 5-on-5 hockey. The Sabres will need the goaltender to step up and make some saves, and not allow any soft goals. Buffalo will need to play a solid, defensive road game in order to stop the balanced attack of the Devils.
The Devils will need to win the special teams battle since they are ranked in he top 10 in the League in both the power play and penalty kill. New Jersey will need to force turnovers and take advantage of the mistakes that the Sabres are going to make. The Devils will need to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game. New Jersey will need to find a way to keep Evander Kane and Jack Eichel, the top two point producers on the Sabres, off the board when they are on the ice. The Devils are going to need to be aware of Kane when he is out on the ice killing penalties since he has a few shorthanded goals already this year.
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