Newark, N.J. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday after both teams played on Friday. Buffalo overcame a two-goal third period deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2, while New Jersey lost at home, 2-1, to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Sabres have picked up points in three-straight games, going 2-0-1.
Buffalo has a power play goal in all three of those games, marking the first time all season the Sabres have done that. At the same time, in the last four games, the penalty kill has gone 11-for-11, placing them seventh in the NHL at 86.1%.
If head coach Don Granato stays with his goalie rotation, Devon Levi will get the call in goal. He’s been struggling, allowing 15 goals in his last four starts. Despite that, he did go 2-1-1.
Alex Tuch scored the game-winning goal on Friday, and has six goals and six assists for 12 points in his last 11 games.
The team’s leading scorer, Rasmus Dahlin, has a goal and five assists for six points in his last four games.
Victor Olofsson is heating up, and it’s because he’s seemed to improve his overall game lately. It’s translated into two goals and four assists for six points in five games.
Peyton Krebs only has one point all season, but he was easily Buffalo’s best player on Friday. He was flying, and he along with Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons were hard on pucks, creating offense and spending most of their night in the offensive zone.
Jordan Greenway missed Friday's game due to injury, while Girgensons left the game with an injury and never returned. After the game, Granato said there would likely be a forward called up from the Rochester Americans.
Kevin Oklobzija was covering the Amerks' overtime win on Friday over the Laval Rocket, and reported that Isak Rosen has been called up by Buffalo.
The Sabres' 2021 first-round pick is fifth in the AHL in scoring with eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 16 games. Rosen scored the game-winner on Friday against the Rocket.
In 82 career AHL games, the 20-year-old has 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points.
The Sabres made the call up official Saturday afternoon, which also included 2022 first-round pick Jiri Kulich.
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In late October, the Sabres lost in New Jersey, 5-4. Dylan Cozens tied that game at the 12:35 mark of the third period, but Erik Haula netted the game-winning goal just 1:42 later.
Whether you’re talking points or points percentage, the Sabres are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference. However, they are only three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings for the final playoff spot.
The Sabres are three points ahead of the Devils, who have lost 6-of-7 games.
New Jersey does have its star back in Jack Hughes. He missed five games due to injury, but still has six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 13 games.
Jesper Bratt is the Devils' leading scorer with eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points in 18 games.
Goaltending has been a huge issue for Lindy Ruff’s crew this year.
Vitek Vanecek will likely be between the pipes on Saturday. He’s 7-5-0 with a 3.43 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage. New Jersey is 29th in the league in goals-against so far this season.
One thing the Sabres don’t want to do is take penalties, because the Devils have the top power play in the league at 36.5%.
Join Pat Malacaro and myself for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. EST when you’ll hear from Granato, Krebs and Ryan Johnson.
