Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Following Thursday's loss to the Washington Capitals, the Buffalo Sabres will be looking to wrap up their five-game homestand on a high note against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their final matchup of the year.
Sabres winger Alex Tuch was forced to miss Thursday's game due to a lower-body ailment that he did not want to further aggravate that game. Head coach Lindy Ruff said on Saturday that Tuch appears like he can play against Toronto.
However, Ruff said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was doubtful to play, while Tanner Pearson would not play Saturday.
In Friday’s practice, Rasmus Dahlin was paired with Zach Metsa.
With so many defensemen on the roster, it seemed like Metsa would be sent back down to continue as the Rochester Americans captain. That hasn’t happened and Ruff said Metsa might actually be one of the players he calls on that gives the team the best chance to win,
“Yes he can, he’s played incredibly well, he exceeded my expectations, his numbers say that, breaks the puck out really well, makes very few mistakes when it comes to defending, so he’s earned his right to be here and even going into tonight with a D-man doubtful, it’s just another option we can use.”
The Leafs are in the same place the Sabres were last year when nobody went to Tage Thompson’s aid when he was laying on the ice thanks to Stefan Noesen. On Thursday, Radek Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks put a cheap shot on Auston Matthews going knee-to-knee ending his season. Not one teammate went after Gudas and fans and media in Toronto have been crucifying this team. Ruff knows they may see a different team in Buffalo,
“Automatically we’re looking at a group that probably is going to be as hungry as they can, with what happened, and we’ll be ready for that for sure.”
Buffalo is 19-11-3 at home, but have only won five of their last nine in this building. The Sabres had their eight-game winning streak broken on Thursday losing to the Washington Capitals 2-1.
Speaking of streaks, Alex Lyon is in net with four straight wins. He’s 15-2-0 since Dec. 8 supporting a 2.24 goals against and .925 save percentage. Colten Ellis is nursing an injury meaning he won’t be the backup on Saturday.
Since Jan. 13 Toronto has only won 5-of-21 games. Their points percentage is .508 with only the New York Rangers worse in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo beat the Leafs 5-3 in Buffalo and split in Toronto winning 7-4 and losing 4-3. Rasmus Dahlin has seven points in those three games. Tage Thompson and Samuelsson have six.
Every season, more and more Leafs fans get tickets to the Sabres building. For the last few years the building has been around 80% Toronto fans. Dahlin said that he’s hoping to see a big change on Saturday and Ruff said with a wry smile,
“I was hoping Toronto fans would sell their tickets back to Buffalo fans.”
Look for Joseph Woll in net. He’s 14-11-4 with a 3.13 goals against and .905 save percentage.
Join Brian Koziol and me for the pregame at 6:00 when you’ll hear from Ruff, Tuch, Timmins and Beck Malenstyn.