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. 

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Nashville Predators will finally get a chance to raise the Western Conference Champions banner in front of the home crowd.

On Tuesday night, they will take on the Philadelphia Flyers in its first home game of the season.On Thursday night, the face-off against Central Division opponent, Dallas Stars. On Saturday night, they will travel to Chicago and the United Center to take on the Blackhawks in another pivotal Central Division matchup.

The Preds will want to use the raucous crowd to its advantage and get off to a flying start without getting too caught up in the hype of the night. Nashville is going to need all four line to have some sustained pressure in offensive zone. Scott Hartnell faces his former team tonight and could be a big factor on the power play for Nashville. The Predators will need to get the first goal and keep building off of that. Nashville is going to need to stay out of the penalty box and do a good job of defending all four Flyers lines.

The Flyers are going to need to get off to a fast start in Nashville and take the crowd out of the game. The Orange and Black will want to get the first goal since the Predators haven't won a game when the opposition scores first. Philly is catching a break since the Preds best defenseman, Roman Josi could miss the game due to an injury. The Flyers will want to get in on the forecheck, win board battles and get shots on the net. The Orange and Black are going to need to want to crash the net and get plenty of traffic in the crease to take eyes off the puck.

Nashville will face a struggling Stars team on Thursday night. The Preds need to take advantage of the Stars struggles to start the season. Nashville needs to pressure the puck carrier and force some turnovers especially the way the Stars have been playing in their own zone. The Predators need to get some shots on goal and make the Stars work for their offensive zone time. Nashville needs to be good through the neutral zone and limits its own turnovers since the Stars are comfortable playing a pond hockey style game. 

 The Stars are off to a slow start with Ben Bishop having to leave the first game of the year, and Kari Lehtonen having to take his place. The Stars need to establish a good forecheck and get some attack time in the offensive zone. Dallas needs to stop standing around watching the plays develop in its own end and get its feet moving to stop those plays from happening. It would help the Stars if they could manage to get a goal or two in the first period since they don't have one yet. Dallas needs to get its top line going and involved in the offense because without them, the Stars are going to struggle to get goals. 

The Predators end the week with a tough game in Chicago. The Preds better hope that Roman Josi is back for this game because the Hawks are off and flying on offense. Nashville is going to need a solid start and get the first goal to take the crowd out of the game. They are going to need to use its speed to draw some penalties and use special teams to its advantage. The Predators will want to play a solid, defensive road game and not give up too many chances to the Blackhawks.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Dallas Stars will play the Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche this week.

The Red Wings and Avalanche are off to a decent start, but the Predators are really struggling just like the Stars.

The Stars need to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game since they've really struggled to get going in the first period of games this year. Dallas is going to need to get some pucks and traffic in front of the opposing net. The Stars are going to need to take advantage of its power play chances. Dallas will need to an eye on defenseman Mike Green since he leads the Red Wings in points and assists with four. The Stars just need to get some offensive pressure, get a bounce to go their way and not let the goalie steal another game from them. 

The Red Wings are off to a decent start to the new season. They will want to get off to a better start since they have yet to score a first period goal. Detroit will want to get the first goal and pressure the Dallas defense to force turnovers. The Red Wings need to play a solid first ten minutes to the game and not play into the up-and-down style of hockey that Dallas can tend to play sometimes. Detroit needs to get the top six involved in the game early and often.

 The Stars are off to a slow start with Ben Bishop having to leave the first game of the year, and Kari Lehtonen having to take his place. The Stars need to establish a good forecheck and get some attack time in the offensive zone. Dallas needs to stop standing around watching the plays develop in its own end and get its feet moving to stop those plays from happening. It would help the Stars if they could manage to get a goal or two in the first period since they don't have one yet. Dallas needs to get its top line going and involved in the offense because without them, the Stars are going to struggle to get goals. 

Nashville will face a struggling Stars team on Thursday night. The Preds need to take advantage of the Stars struggles to start the season. Nashville needs to pressure the puck carrier and force some turnovers especially the way the Stars have been playing in their own zone. The Predators need to get some shots on goal and make the Stars work for their offensive zone time. Nashville needs to be good through the neutral zone and limits its own turnovers since the Stars are comfortable playing a pond hockey style game.

The Stars end the week back home on Saturday night to face the Colorado Avalanche, who are off to a surprisingly good start to the year. Dallas will need to keep an eye on the top two lines of the Avalanche since they can produce. They'll also need to keep an eye on the defense since they don't seem to have a problem getting involved in the offense. Dallas will need to get off to a fast start and get some pucks on net. The Stars need to play a good solid defensive game and help out their goalie.

The Avalanche need to get the first goal of the game, and continue the momentum throughout the rest of the game. Colorado is going to have to take advantage of its power play opportunities since they've struggled mightily in that department early on. The Avs need to bring a balanced attack since the Stars have plenty of fire power of their own. Colorado will also need to have a solid effort defensively and avoid turnovers. 

Flying Forward: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Philadelphia Flyers will finally get to have their own home opener after sitting through three other teams home openers in the first week of the season.

The Flyers will first have to get through the home opener and banner raising for the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. On Saturday night, they will celebrate their own home opener against the Washington Capitals. In five total games, they will have been throug four home openers after this week.

The Flyers are going to need to get off to a fast start in Nashville and take the crowd out of the game. The Orange and Black will want to get the first goal since the Predators haven't won a game when the opposition scores first. Philly is catching a break since the Preds best defenseman, Roman Josi could miss the game due to an injury. The Flyers will want to get in on the forecheck, win board battles and get shots on the net. The Orange an"d Black are going to need to want to crash the net and get plenty of traffic in the crease to take eyes off the puck. 

The Preds will want to use the raucous crowd to its advantage and get off to a flying start without getting too caught up in the hype of the night. Nashville is going to need all four line to have some sustained pressure in offensive zone. Scott Hartnell faces his former team tonight and could be a big factor on the power play for Nashville. The Predators will need to get the first goal and keep building off of that. Nashville is going to need to stay out of the penalty box and do a good job of defending all four Flyers lines.

On Saturday night, the Flyers will finally get to play in front of its own home crowd as the divisional rivals, Capitals come to town. The Flyers are going to need to play a really good densive game and cut back on the turnovers. The Orange and Black will need to stop the offensive balance throughout the Capitals lineup, but especially the top six of the Caps. Philly will need to not take stupid penalties and make to a fight-filled parade to the penalty box or they won't even have a shot at winning. The Flyers need to get a ton of traffic on front of the goalie to take his eyes off the puck.

The Caps have started the season off with no problems on the offensive side of the puck. The Capitals need to be a little tighter defensively especially giving up so many shots per game. Washington needs to watch out for the speed of the Flyers and the younger kids that have contributed to the offense. The Caps need to get off to a fast start and establish the forecheck early in the game. 

Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will starts its week at home and end it on the road. 

The Leafs will face the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens.  The Leafs and Blackhawks will be an interesting matchup since they have each scored 15 goals in two games to start the season. 

The Maple Leafs need to play a solid defensive game or it could be along game for this team. They have the ability to put the puck in the net, but so do the Blackhawks. Toronto will want to get shots on goals and test Anton Forsberg early because this will be his first game action of the year. Toronto needs to get the first goal and be smart with the puck, avoiding those pesky turnovers. The Maple Leafs are going to have to keep an eye on Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith since they all have decent career numbers against Toronto. 

The Blackhawks are of to a good start especially offensively, but they haven't given up much defensively either. The Hawks are going to want to pressure the defense of the Leafs especially the third pairing if the two rookies, Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen, start the game. Connor Carrick is a game-time decision for the Leafs after suffering  an injury last game. Chicago is going to have to watch out for the speed of the Maple Leafs, who create a lot off the use of its speed. The Blackhawks are going to have to capitalize on the mistakes that the Leafs are going to make. 

On Wednesday night, the Devils make the trip to Air Canada Centre. The Leafs are going to need to stop the speed of the Devils and keep an eye on the defense since they aren't afraid to join the offensive play. Toronto needs to get the first goal to keep the crowd in the game and keep the top six of the Devils off the board. They'll need to play a smart game and keep the turnovers to a minimum because the Devils can and will make a team pay for turnovers. 

New Jersey needs to attack the Leafs and make it hard for them to get through the neutral zone with speed. The Devils need to play a sound, defensive road game because Toronto has no problem a fast-paced back-and-forth pond hockey type game. New Jersey needs to elevate the puck and get rebounds chances since both Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney have good career numbers against them. If the Devils can get the first goal then they'll need to keep attacking and not sit back for the rest of the game. 

The Maple Leafs end their week with a divisional match against the Habs in Montreal. The Maple Leafs need to get off to a fast start that includes a decent forecheck and cycle game. Toronto needs to make sure that they have the lead after the first period, and if they do, don't take their feet off the gas. The Leafs need to get pucks on net whenever they have the chance and get traffic in front of the opposing goalie. Toronto is going to need to keep an eye on Tomas Plekanec since he has had a ton of success in his career against the them (69 gp,16 g, 27a, 43 its).

The Habs need to find a way to score some goals, which is not something new they are facing. They also had a lack of offense last year, but Carey Price bailed them out most games. Montreal needs to get the power play going, and start throwing pucks on net. The Habs are dangerous on the penalty kill as they already have two shorthanded goals for this year compared to their one goal at even strength. They need to get the first goal and build off of its momentum and the home crowd. 

Lightning Strikes: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked a bad time to be struggling defensively with the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Vladimir Tarasenko coming to town. 

The Bolts will look to use the home crowd to is advantage this week. They'll take on the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. 

The Lightning will try to slow down the red hot Alex Ovechkin, who has seven goals in two games to start the season. Evgeny Kuznetsov has assisted on all seven of Ovechkin's goals, so Tampa Bay is going to need to keep a close eye on the duo. They'll need to get traffic in front of the net because if a goalie can't see a puck then he can't stop it. They need to be better defensively, avoid sloppy play in their own end and  not cough up the lead, if they get it. The Bolts need to get the lead, establish a forecheck and spend as much time as they can in the offensive zone since that's the best way to slow down the Caps offense. The goalie, whether it be Andrei Vasilevskiy or Peter Budaj, needs to steal this game. Tampa Bay is also going to want to keep an eye on Nicklas Backstroke and T.J.Oshie since they both have decent career numbers against the Lightning.

The Caps need to bring its balanced attack and have all four lines and the defense involved in the game. They'll need to stay out of the penalty box since the Bolts have a pretty decent power play. The top line of Vladislav Namestnikov-Steven Stamkos-Nikita Kucherov has been off to a good start for the Bolts so the Capitals need to keep them in-check. Washington will also need to have a solid road effort and keep the mistakes to a minimum.

On Thursday night, the defending Stanley Cup Champions, Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Bolts. Tampa Bay needs to stay out of the penalty box and play a discipline game since the Pens have a really good power play. The Lightning need to get plenty of shots on goal and just attack the Penguins since they have struggled to start the season. The Bolts should try to establish an early forechecking game and cycling game to spend as much time as they can in the offensive zone. Tampa Bay needs to get the defensive involved in the offense and keep the top six of the Penguins off the scoreboard. The Lightning will also need to keep an eye on Kris Letang since he has good career numbers again them and likes to join the play in the offensive zone. 

The Penguins haven't had the best start to its season and have given up 15 goals against in three games. Pittsburgh needs to get shots on goal, and make Vasilevskiy or Budaj work since either have particularly good career numbers in limited time against the. They'll want to attack the defense and keep attacking since the Bolts are having some defensive problems early in the year. The Penguins need to get its big guns going like Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. If the Pens can have a solid road effort and limits its mistakes then they'll have a chance on stealing a win on the road.

The week ends with a visit from the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. The Bolts are going to have to watch the Blues' defensemen since they have contributed to the offense early on. Tampa Bay will need to keep the top six forwards to a minimum amount of damage. The team will also need to get a ton of traffic in front of Jake Allen or Carter Hutton. The Bolts need to keep the turnovers to a minimum and not make this game as wide open as a game of pond hockey.

The Blues will need to keep an eye on Brayden Point, who has five points in two games. St. Louis should try to establish a good forechecking and cycling game from the start of the game. The Blues will also want to pressure the Lightning puck carrier to force some turnovers. The Blues will need to stay out of the penalty box since they've had a rough go of it on the penalty kill. St. Louis has given up some goals and chances in the third period through two games and they need to be better defensively in the final period. 

Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Buffalo Sabres are looking for its first win of the season, and it is a tough week ahead for the team, who has been struggling both offensively and defensively. 

It has only been two games, but the Sabres have looked like the same old Sabres. The team is going to need an adjustment period, but they need to get better in every aspect of the game. The New Jersey Devils come to town to take on the Sabres on Monday afternoon. Buffalo will then make its way to the West Coast, where they will take on the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The best chance to get its first win of the season for the Sabres is against the Sharks, who have been struggling in every phase of the game. 

The Devils will visit the KeyBank Center on Monday afternoon. The Sabres are going to need to avoid turnovers and be smart with the puck. The Devils had 15 takeaways in its first game against the Colorado Avalanche. Buffalo will need to keep an eye on the defense joining the play in the offensive zone especially Will Butcher since he had three assists in his first NHL game. The Sabres need to get a forecheck going early, get off to a good start and be sure that they get plenty of traffic in front of the goalie. Buffalo should keep an eye on Marcus Johansson since he has nine goals, six assists and 15 points in 22 games played against the Sabres in his career.

New Jersey is playing in its first road game of the year, and they'll need to put in a good effort defensively. The Devils need to be sure to get shots on goal as they'll either be facing Robin Lehner (off to a not-so-great start) or Chad Johnson (first action of the season). New Jersey needs to win the special teams battle since they have zero even strength goals. The battle of the penalty kill should be an interesting one as the Devils have one shorthanded goal and the Sabres have two shorthanded goals, both scored by Evander Kane. New Jersey needs to get its top line going, and they'll have to keep an eye on Kyle Okposo (41 gp, 8 goals, 14 assists & 22 points) and Matt Moulson (37 gp, 10 goals, 5 assists, 15 points). 

Buffalo will then have the next two days off to travel to the West Coast, where they will take on the Sharks on Thursday night. The Sabres should use its speed to create so they can get plenty of shots on goal. It would be nice if the Sabres could take the lead going into the third period since the Sharks have yet to mount a third period comeback in the young season. The forecheck should be established early in the game along with better play while at even strength. The Sabres will need to keep an eye on Paul Martin (37 gp, 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points), Brent Burns (12 gp, 3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points), Joe Thornton (51 gp, 8 goals, 30 assists, 38 points) since they all have decent career numbers against the Sabres.

This could be the game where Martin Jones puts it all together for the Sharks since in four games played in his career against Buffalo he is 2-1-1 with a .919 save percentage and 2.22 goals against average. Jones and Burns really need to get it together and fast if this Sharks team wants to compete in the Pacific Division. San Jose is going to have to play a discipline game because the Sharks are struggling on the penalty kill. The Sharks need to get the first goal of the game, and keep the energy throughout the game. San Jose needs to establish a good forecheck and pressure the Sabres into some turnovers.

The Sabres end its week in Los Angeles, where they'll take on the Kings. Buffalo is going to need to be aware of the Kings speed, because this isn't last year's team. The Sabres should shoot the puck on net when they have the chance especially if there is traffic in front of the goalie. They'll also want to have someone in the crease area looking for rebound chances since the goalies will give them up. The Sabres need to pay attention to the following Kings players: Jeff Carter (30 gp, 15 goals, 10 assists, 25 points), Anze Kopitar (13 gp, 5 goals, 8 assists, 13 points) and Mike Cammalleri (21 gp, 8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points). Jonathan Quick has amazing numbers against the Sabres in his career including a 5-1-0 record, .944 save percentage and 1.22 GAA in 8 games played. 

Los Angeles is going to need to use its speed and get pucks on net. The Kings haven't has many power play opportunities this year so if they use their speed to draw penalties, they'd have some time to try to get its power play going. Los Angeles is going to have to keep its eye on Evander Kane, who has looked good early in the season especially on the penalty kill. Jason Pominville has four goals, 11 assists and 15 points in 18 career games against the Kings.