Monday, 10.8.18 vs. Vegas Golden Knights- 3 p.m.
The Sabres will play a rare weekday afternoon game as it is Columbus Day in the U.S. and Thanksgiving in Canada. Buffalo will face a tough opponent in the Golden Knights, but the team can be beaten. The Sabres need to come out of the gate fast and establish a good forecheck. They'll need to be aware of the transition speed of the Golden Knights and make sure that they have players back to make it a little easier on the goalie. They can't leave the goalie out to dry or it could be a very long game.
Buffalo's play in the neutral zone will have to be good to slow down the Golden Knights. They want to clog the neutral zone, put bodies on the opposing players, and force the Golden Knights to dump the puck into the offensive zone, instead of skating it in. If the Sabres manage to get a lead, then they don't want to sit back, but attack because the Golden Knights keep coming.
Thursday, 10.11.18 vs. Colorado Avalanche- 7 p.m.
The Avalanche have a balanced lineup so the Sabres need to figure out a way to slow them down. They may want to try to establish a solid forecheck and offensive zone time early to force the Avs to defend rather than to be on the attack. The Sabres will want to keep an eye on Nathan MacKinnon, who can make a team's defenders look silly. The Avalanche have allowed some goals in the first and second periods, but then shut it down in the third. Buffalo wants to come out with energy and get some shots on goal with some traffic in front of the goalie.
The Sabres need to watch out for the Avalanche defense since can move the puck and will join the play in the offensive zone. Buffalo is going to need to play a solid, team defensive game while taking some chances offensively to get the puck in the net. They will need to play with discipline and need their top guys like Jack Eichel and Conor Sheary to use their speed to get open and create in the offensive zone. The biggest thing the Sabres need to do to try to get the two points is to have the lead after two periods since the Avalanche are 2-0 when leading after two periods.
Saturday, 10.13.18 @ Arizona Coyotes- 9 p.m.
The Sabres will play their first road game of the season and it just happens to be against a team that is struggling very early to put the puck in the net. The Coyotes have played two games and have been shutout in both, but in their defense, they've played two good teams. Buffalo can't play down to its opponent and just think they can win this game without playing solid hockey. The Sabres should come out with some energy to start the game and force some turnovers.
Buffalo needs to establish a good forecheck and use it throughout the game, not just in the first period to try to get a lead. They'll need to avoid mistakes and have the goalie bail them out at times throughout the game. If the team should get down in the game then they need to keep attacking because the Coyotes will give up some chances and goals. The Sabres need to take advantage of their opportunities, don't overpass, but rather take the shot if it's there.
Predicting the Sabres' Week Against the Western Conference
The Sabres could get anywhere from zero to six points this week. It is unlikely that they will go undefeated against these three teams. The Golden Knights and Avalanche will be a good challenge to see where the Sabres stand. The game against the Coyotes doesn't automatically mean two points, they are going to have to work for those points.
The Sabres have a tough schedule this week, so I see them going 1-1-1 and getting three points. If they play up to their ability, then I think they could steal two points from either Vegas or Colorado, but I'll play it safe until the Sabres prove that they can consistently beat the playoff caliber teams.
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