Tonight’s Devils road trip to Buffalo is a quick one. They are trying to bounce back from Wednesday’s loss to Toronto. This was their first in 14 weeks.
You can view the Devils Hockey Network on MSGSN, or listen to it on Devils Hockey Network.
You can read the game preview below, and then check back at 6:00 p.m. for Lindy Ruff’s media availability for videos, lineup updates, our Pre-Game Story, and other information.
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BUFFALO, NY. For a complete report, please check back after Lindy Ruff’s media availability at 6:00 p.m.
PREVIEW
DEVILS (16-4-0), at SABRES (9-11-0)
TV: 8:00 p.m. ET; Televised on MSGSN
Head-to-Head
The Devils face the Sabres 3 times this season.
New Jersey won 2 of 3 meetings last season. In overtime, Prudential Center won 2-1 and KeyBank Center won 3-2 in December. New Jersey: Buffalo was victorious 5-2 in April.
For three points, Four Devils scored a goal and received two assists. Dougie Hamilton, Jesper Bratt, Yegor Sharangovich Jack Hughes.
With four points each, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin led the Sabres’ charge.
The Devils have the following:
The Devils are off on a strong start to the season. Despite dropping their first two games they are now 16-4-0 through 20 contests. They have also won 16 of their last 18. They had the chance to break the franchise record of 14 straight wins, but lost 2-1 against Toronto.
Six points ahead of New York Islanders, the club is currently in first place in Metropolitan Division. Boston is two points ahead of them in terms of the NHL’s best record.
Sabres team scope
Buffalo was also a strong start to the campaign, going 7-3 in their first ten games. They lost eight consecutive games to fall to 7-11-0.
They appear to be back on track after this past week. The Sabres won back-to-back games in Montreal 7-2 and at home against St. Louis 6-2.
The Sabres are currently five points behind Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and for the final playoff spot within the Eastern Conference.
Tage Thompson, brother to Tyce Thompson (Devils prospect) leads the club in scoring. He has scored 13 goals and 26 goals in 20 games. Rasmus Dahlin is next with eight goals in 19 contests.
These numbers are:
Alex Tuch leads the Sabres in this category with 10 points in five of his last five games. Jack Hughes Six goals has been the Devils’ most prolific point-getter in five of their previous five seasons. Jeff Skinner scored six goals during that time. Buffalo’s power play ranks seventh in the NHL, at 26.2%. But their penalty kill is weak at 72.7%, which places them 28th in League. They are third in the NHL for offensive goals scored at 3.75 goals each game. The Devils rank fourth with 3.70. However, Devils are the second-most allowed team in the League with 2.30 goals against them and Sabres are the 24th at 3.50.
Injury Updates
Devils
Jonathan Bernier (Hip – IR)
Ondrej Palat (Groin – IR)
Mackenzie Blackwood (Sprained MCL-IR)
Sabres
Rasmus Asplund (Upper Bod – Day to-Day)
Eric Comrie (Undisclosed – IR).
Kyle Okposo (Lower Bod – IR).
