Storylines
1. The lineup
JJ Peterka practiced with the team for the third consecutive day on Friday and has not been ruled out for tonight’s game. Peterka sustained a concussion as the result of an open-ice hit from New Jersey defenseman Brenden Dillon last Saturday and missed Thursday’s home opener.
Expect lineup news from Sabres coach Lindy Ruff following the team’s morning skate, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
2. Respect the process
The Sabres will be look to replicate much of what they accomplished in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. They earned lopsided advantages in shots (33-23) and high-danger scoring chances (20-6) but were held to one goal thanks to a confluence of circumstances: highlight-reel saves by goaltender Darcy Kuemper, shots off the post, and a shot that crossed the line about a tenth of a second after the first period expired.
Ruff, while disappointed with two third-period mistakes that allowed the Kings to take the lead, said it was as close as the Sabres have played to their targeted identity so far in the young season. If they continue in that direction, goals are bound to follow.
“We’re just trying to be a process-based group,” McLeod said. “I think we improved a lot from our games in Prague. So, you’ve got to take that as a positive and I think on most nights we probably come away with two points there – at least a point. So, we’ve just got to stick with it and build on the positives of that game.”
3. Scouting the Panthers
Florida lost the first game of its road trip 3-1 in Ottawa on Thursday and now awaits the status of captain Aleksander Barkov, who sustained an injury trying to prevent an empty-net goal during the final minutes of contest.
Barkov is the reigning Selke Trophy winner, but the Panthers have no shortage of talent even if he’s absent. They return most of last year’s championship team, which led the NHL with a plus-68 goal differential during the regular season.
McLeod got to know the Panthers and their blend of skill and physicality during an intense, seven-game Stanley Cup Final.
“That’s why they won the Cup, they kind of had it all,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough test for us, but I think if we get to our game, we should be able to play with any team.”
