The Buffalo Sabres play their first road game of the 2020-21 season in Philadelphia on Monday against the Flyers.
Buffalo has already put itself in an early season hole, losing its first two games at home to the Washington Capitals.
The Flyers are at the other end of the spectrum, winning its first two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. That puts Philadelphia four points ahead of Buffalo in the East Division, and has the Sabres five points behind Washington.
The Flyers will be without their best player as Sean Couturier is out at least two weeks with a rib injury.
For the Sabres, Sam Reinhart is a game-time decision with a lower-body injury. Kyle Okposo didn’t make the trip and is skating in Buffalo, also with a lower-body injury.
Reinhart took part in the morning skate, but Ralph Krueger wouldn't give any more details about his game status.
“Sam is still questionable and we’ll make the final decision in the preactivation tonight,” Krueger said.
If he can’t go, Casey Mittelstadt will fill in from the taxi squad.
The Sabres didn’t play very well in their 6-4 opening night loss to the Capitals, but in Game 2, they dominated, but still lost 2-1. They couldn’t get key saves from Linus Ullmark, or key goals from their key players when most-needed.
In a shortened season, playing well isn’t going to be good enough, as they need goals from Reinhart, Jack Eichel, Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner. None of them have scored yet this season.
Staal didn’t get the benefit of playing in preseason games with his new teammates.
“I’d be lying if I said it’s not an adjustment at all," Staal said on Sunday. "I think anytime you’re with new guys, it takes a little bit, especially with the time we’ve had off. I thought there was good progress in Game 2, and there are some things we can take from it and keep building on, but it’s going to take a little time.”
The time they need is to get familiar with each other, and Staal’s strength is playing with instinct.
“It’s that familiarity, that comfort, that knowing where guys are and trusting each other’s abilities is going to take a little time and that’s just the reality,” Staal said.
The Sabres will likely have Ullmark in goal. He only had to face 21 shots in the loss to the Capitals on Friday.
To start the season, Krueger said that they would likely spilt most of the back-to-back situations, but he has now changed his mind.
“We’ve made a decision to truly go day-by-day now," Krueger said. "No plan for tomorrow in place until tonight’s game is over, so [in back-to-backs] it won’t always mean both goalies playing.”
Buffalo’s special teams have, again, been dismal. The power play is 1-for-8 through the first two games, while the penalty kill has only killed off one of two opportunities.
The Flyers scored 11 goals in their first two games, led by Travis Konecny, who has three goals and two assists for five points. At 5.50 goals per-game, the Flyers lead the NHL, while Buffalo sits in 19th at 2.50 goals per-game.
Carter Hart will be in goal on Monday for the Flyers, while Brian Elliott gets the call on Tuesday. Hart is 2-0-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.
Monday's projected lines:
Forwards:
Hall - Eichel - Reinhart (Mittelstadt)
Olofsson - Staal - Cozens
Rieder - Eakin - Thompson
Skinner - Lazar - Sheahan
Defense:
McCabe - Ristolainen
Dahlin - Montour
Miller - Jokiharju
Join Mike Schopp and the Bulldog at 6:30 p.m. EST for the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show, as they’ll be joined by Krueger, Staal and Dylan Cozens. A reminder that Monday's game will be televised on NBCSN, so the only place to hear Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call is WGR Sports Radio 550.
