Sabres Slashes: Facing the Western Conference

The Buffalo Sabres have gotten off to a great start to the season. The team has yet to suffer a loss in regulation and is 4-0-1 on the season. The Sabres are playing the game the right way while using their speed to get in on the forecheck. The team has balanced scoring with all four line contributing in some way. The Sabres look to continue their good play as they take on four Western Conference teams this week.

The struggling Dallas Stars come to town today in a matinee game that see the puck drop at 3 p.m. On Wednesday night, the California trip begins for the Sabres as they take on the surprising Anaheim Ducks. On Thursday night, the Sabres take on the mediocre Los Angeles Kings. The west coast trip ends with a game against the San Jose Sharks, who need to get things together early in this season and the addition of Patrick Marleau may be the boost the team needs.

Monday, Oct. 14, 2019- Stars @ Sabres- 3 p.m.

The Dallas Stars are coming into Buffalo with a 1-4-1 record in six games, which isn't the ideal start for the team. The Stars are struggling in every facet of the game, and it has cost them in the standings. The team hasn't been able to put the puck in the net so they need to find a way to finish. Another way to get the offense done is to cap hit on some power play chances since the Sabres aren't very good at killing penalties. The team needs to avoid the penalty box since the Sabres are the best team in the early going at cashing in on their power play opportunities. 

The Sabres need to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game, and get momentum early. The Stars are a mediocre team at killing penalties so cashing in on the power play will help the Sabres get some goals. The Sabres should try to use their speed especially on the entries to force the Stars defensemen to back into their zone. The Stars may be struggling but the Sabres can't get lazy or too comfortable if they have a lead. The Sabres want to have the lead entering the final period of play since they are 4-0-0 when they have the lead entering the third period.

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019 - Sabres @ Ducks- ESPN+

The Ducks have been a surprising team so far in the early going since most people expected them to struggle, but great goaltending has kept them in games. John Gibson has been spectacular in the four games that he has played. He is 3-1-0 with a 1.26 goals against average and .961 save percentage. Ryan Miller was good in his one game he has started in so far this year. The Ducks will need good goaltending when facing the Sabres, since they will get their chances and goals. The Ducks need to be physical and establish the forecheck early in the game to get some second chances. Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler are to dangerous players from the back end, who can move the puck and pick up points. The Sabres want to be aware of them when they are on the ice.

The Sabres should take care of the puck since the Ducks have the speed and players to make a team pay for their mistakes. The goaltending is going to be a key in this game for the Sabres so saves need to be made. The Sabres will need to get shots on net and make sure there is plenty of traffic in front for rebounds and deflections. The team need to match the speed of the Ducks, who have some young kids on the roster.

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 - Sabres @ Kings- 10:30 p.m.

The Kings have started out the season as most expected and that is up-and-down. They have a 2-2-0 record and the biggest problem has been the struggles of Jonathan Quick. Quick has not looked good in net all season, and he'll need to find a way to get it back. The Kings should avoid the penalty box because the Sabres will cash in on the man advantage. The team needs to avoid turnovers and limit mistakes to have a shot at winning the game. The goalie, whether Quick or Jack Campbell, needs to make the easy saves and not allow any soft goals. 

The Sabres need to get pucks on the net because of the Kings' goalie struggles. The Sabres should pressure the puck carrier to force some turnovers and get even more chances. The team will probably need to work for their space and be patient with the puck, when they have it. The Sabres need to shut down the Kings' top line because they've combined for 13 points in the early going. 

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 - Sabres @ Sharks- 10:30 p.m.

The Sharks finally got its first win of the season and are 1-4-0 in five games so far this season. The Sharks should try to set the tone early and get off to a better start to the game since they haven't scored very many first period goals this season. The team needs to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game and get some momentum. It would be beneficial to the Sharks if the team could find a way to finish and get some pucks in the net. They'll need to find a way to stop Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson, who have managed to lead the Sabres to a good start.

The Sabres should get the first goal of the game since they are 4-0-0 when scoring the first goal. The Sabres need to know where Brent Burns and Logan Couture are when on the ice since these two can produce points. The team could stand to get off to better starts and get more goals in the first period. The Sabres want to win the even strength battle since the Sharks have a decent penalty kill and can score on the power play.

Sabres Slashes Weekly Prediction

The Sabres will finish the week with a 2-1-1 record. The first win of the week comes against the Ducks in overtime on Wednesday night. The second win of the week comes against the Kings on Thursday night. The Sabres lose in overtime to the Sharks on Saturday night, and will lose in regulation to the Stars on Monday afternoon. Victor Olofsson will keep his hot streak going and score a few goal this week, and Kyle Okposo will get some points this week. 

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/26/17-12/2/17

The Nashville Predators will look to continue their hot streak as they head into a week where they play three of their four games at home. 

The Preds are looking to win their 10th game in the last 11 games played, and will enter the week with a 9-1-0 record in the past 10 games played. It won't be an easy task, although it may look like some easy points on paper since most of the teams they play are towards the bottom of their divisions.

Nashville will have a Sunday afternoon game in Carolina to start off the week. It won't be an easy game despite the Hurricanes record and them being out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference right now. The Predators will need to get pucks on net, and be in position for the second chance opportunities. Nashville will need to play a solid defensive game to contain a pretty balanced Carolina lineup. The Preds will also not want to look past the Hurricanes to the Blackhawks. The Predators will want to win the special teams battle and capitalize on the power play since Carolina has a pretty weak penalty kill. Nashville will also want to know where Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho are on the ice at all times, and make sure that they don't have much time to create or move the puck.

The Hurricanes will have a tough task in trying to put the flames out on the Preds hot streak. They will need to play a solid defensive game, and help each other out on the ice. Carolina will also need to know where Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen are on the ice at all times since they are two of the top three point producers for the Preds. The 'Canes will  need to watch the Predators defensemen since they like to join the play in the offensive zone. The Hurricanes need to be better at even strength since their special team numbers aren't the best in the world. Carolina is going to need to have traffic in front of the net because Pekka Rinne has been solid all season for the Predators in net.

The Blackhawks will visit Nashville on Tuesday night in a Central Division showdown. The Predators will need to get traffic in front of the net since Corey Crawford has been good this year for Chicago. Nashville will need to find a way to slow down the balanced lineup of the Blackhawks since they have four lines that can score. The Preds will look to have a better start to this game since they have been getting off to slow starts and then picking up the play in the second period this year. The Predators will look to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking from there.

Chicago needs to find a way to be consistent, and they should start with having a solid,60 minute road effort against a division opponent. The Blackhawks have really struggled so far this year and are falling behind in the playoff picture. Chicago will need to rely on its goalie to have a good game since they will give up shots and chances. The Blackhawks will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds power play is one of the best in the NHL. Chicago will need to have a solid game at even strength and force the Preds into some turnovers with a good forecheck and pressure.

Vancouver will visit Music City on Thursday night and look to leave with two points. Nashville will need to contain Brock Boeser because he has been really good for the Canucks so far this year. The Predators will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Canucks can put the puck in the net with the man advantage. The Preds will need to have the lead entering the third period since they have yet to win a game when trailing after the second. Nashville will want to establish a forecheck game early and keep applying the pressure throughout the game. The Preds also need to be a lot better at finishing games, and be tighter defensively in the final period of games.

The Canucks have been a surprise team through the first quarter of the season, and the main reason has been Boeser, who leads the team in goals, assists and points. Vancouver will need to stay out of the penalty box, and get the first goal of the game to quiet the home crowd. The Canucks will need to get plenty of traffic, shots on net and take advantage of their scoring chances throughout the game. Vancouver will need to have the lead entering the third period since they don't have a regulation win when trailing after two periods of hockey. The Canucks are going to need the goaltending to have a big game for them by making saves. 

The week ends with a visit from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. The Predators will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net and shoot high. The Preds will need to find a way to contain Rickard Rakell and Corey Perry, who are the two leading scoring on the Ducks. Nashville will need to be better in the third period of this game, and stop the top six forwards of the Ducks since the bottom six hasn't contributed much on the offensive side of the puck this year. The Preds will want to get off to a fast start, and keep the pressure on the Ducks.

Anaheim will need to get the first goal of the game since they are 6-1-2 when doing so, and it may take the raucous crowd out of the game a little bit. The Ducks will need to get the power play going since they have struggled with the man advantage this year, but there are major parts missing like Ryan Getzlaf and Ondrej Kase. Anaheim is going to want to stay out of the penalty box, and watch out for the transition speed of the Preds. The Ducks will need to play a team game on defense and that includes the forwards covering their man and the gap control being manageable. 

Lightning Strikes: Weekly Preview 11/12/17-11/18/17

The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to continue their hot start to the season. They will finished their West Coast swing and then come home for two games.

The Bolts will finish up their West Coast swing when they face the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. They will then have three days off before facing the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. The Lightning finish off the week with a game at home against the New York Islanders.

Tampa Bay will face an Anaheim lineup that has been depleted by injury in the early season. The Bolts will need to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game. The Lightning will need to stop the top six forwards of the Ducks since they do most of the damage on the offensive side of the puck for the team. Tampa Bay will need to get pucks on net with traffic in front. The Bolts will need to have a strong even strength game since the Ducks have a decent penalty kill. The Lightning will need to make quick decisions with the puck since the Ducks do block a lot of shot attempts.

The Ducks are going to need to stop the top line of the Lightning, who have combined for 77 points through 17 games so far this year. Anaheim is going to need to get some traffic in front of Tampa Bay's net to get some dirty goals on rebounds and second chances. The Ducks will need to be physical and establish a forecheck early in the game to spend some much needed attack time in the offensive zone. Anaheim needs to make sure that they have the lead after two periods since they don't have a regulation loss if they have the lead entering the third period. The Ducks will need to be aware of the Lightning defense joining the play in the offensive zone, which they have been know to do.

The Lightning have three days off before facing the Dallas Stars at home. The Bolts will need to figure out a way to keep Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin off the board since they have decent career numbers against the Lightning. Tampa Bay will need to play solid defense since the Stars can score and in bunches. The Lightning need to get the first goal of the game since the Stars play better with the lead as opposed to when they are trailing. The Lightning will also need to stay out of the penalty box since the Stars have the best power play in the League at 31.3%.

The Stars are going to need to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game. Dallas will need to make sure that it plays a good even strength game, but also need to play stellar special teams like they have all season. The Stars are going to need to have the lead entering the third period since they don't have a third period comeback yet this year. Dallas will need to take advantage of a weak home penalty kill by the Lightning. The Stars need to figure out a way to stop the balanced attack of Tampa Bay.

The Lightning will take on the New York Islanders on Saturday night to end their week. Tampa Bay will need to get some traffic in front of the net because Jaroslav Halak has been very good this year. The Bolts will need to get the first goal of the game since the Isles are 5-0-0 when they get the first goal of the game, and 4-6-2 when the opposition scores first. Tampa Bay will need to be sure that they play a strong even strength game since the Isles are a good team when playing 5-on-5 hockey. The Lightning need to be area of when John Tavares is on the ice since he leads the team in points with 19.

The Isles need to get the first goal of the game since they are 5-0-0 when scoring the first goal of the game. New York needs to get off to a fast start and establish the cycle and forecheck game early to spend some time in the offensive zone. The Islanders need to stop the balanced attack of the Bolts. New York will need to find a way to slow down Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, who have gotten off to hot starts this season.

Flying Forward: Weekly Preview 10/22/17-10/28/17

The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to continue their winning ways both at home and on the road this week.

The Flyers will face the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night at home. They will then take on the stingy Senators in Ottawa before ending the week in Toronto to face the fast-paced Maple Leafs.

Philly will need to take advantage of the injuries that the Ducks have had early in this season. The Orange and Black need to keep an eye on the Andrew Cogliano, Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg since they have a combined 12 points. The Flyers need to get the first goal of the game since they have yet to lose this year when scoring first. Philly will need to be sure to get pucks on the net with traffic in front and to elevate the puck. The Flyers need to be careful when on the power play because the Ducks do have three shorthanded goals on the season.

The Ducks need to get the first goal of the game because they haven't lost a game yet this season when scoring first. Anaheim needs to get off to a decent start and attack the young Philly defense since there will be new pairings, and the top pairing will be young. They will have to get traffic in front of the net, and be in front for rebounds because the Philadelphia goalies will allow them. Anaheim needs to keep an eye on Wayne Simmonds, who leads the team in goals, and Shayne Gostisbehere, who leads the team in points. The Ducks also need to not go out of their way for the big hit because Philly has the speed to make them pay for that this year.

The Orange and Black need to not let the Senators bore them and make them lose focus on what is going on around them. The Sens tend to play a very boring style, but the Flyers can attack them with their speed and quick puck movement out of the zone. Philly will need to stop a balanced Ottawa attack by getting their cycle game going and spending some time in the offensive zone. The Flyers should try to get a ton of traffic and shots on goal because if keep putting pucks on net then will eventually get some good chances. The Orange and Black need to have a solid defensive road game while pushing the pace.

Ottawa needs to get the first goal of the game and feed off the home crowd. The Senators need to keep an neutralize the balanced attack of the Flyers by spending some time in the offensive zone. The Sens will need to establish the forecheck game early and attack the Philly defense. This would be a good game to try and get the home power play going for the Senators since the Flyers don't have a good road penalty kill.

Toronto ends its week with a visit from the Flyers to the ACC. The Leafs need to be aware of the Flyers speed, and stay out of the penalty box. They will need to take care of the rookies that are playing on the blue line, and the potential of new pairs since Andrew MacDonald is out 4-6 weeks with a lower body injury. The Maple Leafs need to get the first goal since the Flyers have yet to win a game when their opponent nets the first goal. The Leafs are going to need to keep an eye on the top line of the Flyers, and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who heading into this week lead the team with 11 points.

The Flyers will need to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game. Philly can neutralize the speed of the Maple Leafs by spending time in the offensive zone with a good cycle and forecheck game. The Orange and Black need to bring the balanced attack that they have all season long to wear down the Leafs. The Flyers need to take advantage when they are up a man because Toronto doesn't have the best home penalty kill percentage (76.5%). Philly will need to win the even strength play, which is an area where they have been much better at this season as opposed to last season.

Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Buffalo Sabres are going to need to need to have a quick turn around. The Sabres lost to the Los Angeles Kings last night, and they'll need to forget about it because they take on the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. 

Buffalo then takes on the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night before flying home  to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. The Sabres finish up a tough week facing division rivals, the Boston Bruins in Boston. The Sabres need to find a way to get its first win of the year this week because once they get that first win, they'll gain some confidence in their play.

The Sabres need to start playing better, and not standing around expecting to lose. When they are in their own zone, the players on the ice need to keep their feet moving and anticipate where the puck is going to go and not just stand around waiting for the other team to score. Buffalo needs to have a better effort against the Ducks because Anaheim can score, and will capitalize off mistakes. Whether Chad Johnson or Robin Lehner starts for the Sabres, the goalies really need to start making some saves to bail the team out of trouble. Buffalo needs more production out of the second, third and fourth lines because a team can't win with only one line producing. The Sabres should keep an eye on the Ducks' leading scorer, Andrew Cogliano, and the rest of his line since they have speed, can create and can finish.

Anaheim needs to find a way to get its offense going, and scoring some goals while on the man advantage could really help. The Ducks need to find a way to stop the trio of Evander Kane, Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville since this has been the only line really producing for Buffalo. Anaheim needs to take advantage of home ice and get off to a fast start. The Sabres have yet to win a game when the opposition scores the first goal so the Ducks need to get that first goal of the game. If Anaheim can get a good forecheck and cycle game going then they should be able to catch the Sabres standing around in their own zone, and get some good chances to put the puck in the net. 

On Tuesday night, the Sabres take on the Golden Knights. The Sabres are going to need to contain James Neal, who is off to a hot start. Buffalo is going to need to get the first goal and take the lead into intermission. Buffalo may luck out since Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault and Erik Haula could all miss the game due to injury. The Sabres are going to need to keep their feet moving at both ends of the ice and not get caught standing around.

The Golden Knights should try to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game. Vegas will also need to pressure the puck carrier since the Sabres have 42 turnovers on the season. The Golden Knights need someone besides James Neal to start putting the puck in the net. They will also need some better even strength play, and capitalize when they are on the man advantage. Vegas will need to pay attention to Kane, Eichel and Pominville since they seem to be the only three players producing for the Sabres.

On Friday night, the Sabres come home to take on the Canucks. The Canucks will be in the middle of a five game road trip so the Sabres need to take advantage of them by getting off to a fast start. Buffalo needs to get in front of the net and get some dirty goals. In order to spend some time in the offensive zone, the Sabres are going to need to win some face-offs and board battles. Buffalo also need to watch out for the speed of the Canucks especially if Jake Virtanen and Brock Boeser are in the lineup. 

Vancouver needs to play a solid road game and be smart with and without the puck. They will need a decent game from the goalie since they are coming off of playing the Boston Bruins on Thursday night and could be a little tired. The Canucks are going to need to get the first goal and build off of it since the Sabres have struggled so far this year. Vancouver also needs to be better at even strength then the Sabres.

On Saturday night, the Sabres visit the Bruins in a divisional matchup. Buffalo needs to get the lead and a smart road game since the Bruins can capitalize on turnovers. They will also need to stay out of the penalty box since the Bruins have a decent power play. The Sabres also need to  keep an eye on the top six of the Bruins especially Brad Marchand, David Krejci and David Pastrnak. Buffalo needs to force the bottom six into beating them by keeping the top six in-check.

The Bruins need to score the first goal and keep the home crowd in the game. Boston could have Patrice Bergeron back by this game, and that could be a huge boost for the offense. The Bs need to get Pastrnak going since he hasn't been very consistent in the early going after signing a new contract in the offseason. Boston needs to get the home power play going and be better on the penalty kill.