Buffalo Sabres (14-20-4) vs. Colorado Avalanche (23-15-0)
Puck Drop: 9:00 PM EST | Ball Arena | Denver, CO
TV: MSG
Know Your Opponent
Colorado Avalanche
Record: 23-15-0 | 46 PTS
Last Game: 5-2 win over Winnipeg (Dec. 31)
Division Ranking: 3rd in Central
PP: 23.5% (Sabres: 16.0%)
PK: 77.6% (Sabres: 78.2%)
What to Watch
1. Mittelstadt Mode… Or Not
We’ll get to see our old friend Casey Mittelstadt tonight, and he’s been going through it a little bit as of late. He recently had a nine-game pointless stretch come to an end a few weeks ago, and *just* snapped out of a 19-game streak without scoring a goal. He also had a tough stretch where he failed to register a shot on goal in eight of nine games. He started off the season hot but has certainly struggled as of late; still, he’s accrued 24 points (8-16) in 38 games. If you’re a person who cares about plus/minus, he’s also a minus-15 on the season – but has been a plus-3 in the the last two games combined.
In the earlier meeting between the Sabres and Avalanche this season, Mittelstadt was a minus-2 with one shot on goal in 12 minutes of ice time. Last season after joining the Avalanche, he had 10 points (4-6) in 18 games.
2. No Repeats
Tonight’s game is the second meeting of the season between the Sabres and Avalanche. We all know what happened last time; the Sabres had a great start and were up 4-0 in the first period, and then things absolutely fell apart. A lot has happened in the time since December 3 – almost a month ago – but at the same time, it also feels like nothing has happened, or nothing has changed. It’s a weird feeling, to be sure.
3. Tage Leading the Charge
Heading into this evening’s tilt, Tage Thompson continues to lead the Sabres, with 30 points in 33 games this season. He’s scored 18 goals, most on the team, while Alex Tuch has provided 16 assists. But let’s also not overlook some of the other offensive producers: Jason Zucker, JJ Peterka and Rasmus Dahlin also each have 26 points.
It’s a stark difference, though, when you look at the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon is their leading scorer, and he has a whopping 61 points (14-47) on the season, in just 38 games played. Mikko Rantanen has also eclipsed the 50-point mark (21-33–54), while Cale Makar (11-35–46) isn’t far behind. But, then there’s quite a drop-off, with Mittelstadt and his 24 points next in line.
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Jason Zucker – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Zach Benson – Jiri Kulich – Peyton Krebs
Beck Malenstyn – Ryan McLeod – Sam Lafferty
Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram
Mattias Samuelsson – Owen Power
Jacob Bryson – Connor Clifton
Goalies: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, James Reimer
Colorado Avalanche
Forwards
Artturi Lehknonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Jonathan Drouin – Casey Mittelstadt – Ross Colton
Joel Kiviranta – Parker Kelly – Logan O’Connor
Jere Innala – Juuso Parssinen – Calvin de Haan
Defense
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Samuel Girard – Josh Manson
Keaton Middleton – Sam Malinski
Goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood (projected starter)