Dahlin will be game-time decision vs. Predators

Rasmus Dahlin will be a game-time decision against the Nashville Predators tonight at KeyBank Center
Dahlin has missed the past eight games with a concussion. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said the team will warm up with 12 forwards and seven defensemen and make the final call then.
Zach Bogosian will be scratched on defense.
"We have eight that we feel very comfortable in and it's just a mix and having different looks," Krueger said. "I think everybody's participating in a really good way. There is a defending by committee situation going on here and we like the way the defensive corps is playing.
"[Bogosian] has had 10 good games of growth and has an opportunity to take a breath and take a look and we can work with him on a few things, then we'll make our decision for the next game."

Dahlin joined the Sabres for their morning skate on Tuesday and then was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, where he practiced on a defense pair with Colin Miller and reassumed his roll atop the top power-play unit.
The second-year defenseman has 16 points (1+15) in 24 contests this season.
Linus Ullmark will start in net for the Sabres. Ullmark has won two straight starts and is 5-1-1 with a .923 save percentage in his last seven appearances.

Scouting the Predators

The Predators are coming off a 2-0-1 homestand, which ended with a 3-1 victory over San Jose on Tuesday. They sit four points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, though their 29 games played ties with Tampa Bay for the fewest in the league.
Roman Josi leads Nashville with 26 points (7+19), tied for fifth among NHL defensemen. Seventh-year forward Calle Jarnkrok is putting together a career year at age 28, tied with Filip Forsberg for the team lead with 11 goals.
Juuse Saros is expected to start in net.

Numbers to know

14- Jack Eichel's career-best point streak is up to 14 games, one shy of the 15-game streak Chicago's Patrick Kane put together that stands as the NHL's best this season. Eichel leads the league with 12 goals and 25 points since his streak began on Nov. 16.
9- Speaking of streaks, Johan Larsson enters tonight on his first three-game point streak since 2016. He has nine points (2+7) and a plus-9 rating in Buffalo's last seven contests.
13 - Rasmus Ristolainen has a plus-13 rating in his last seven games. He's been a key member of efforts to shut down opposing top lines in Buffalo's last two wins, with positive shot attempt shares against both Edmonton's Connor McDavid (64.3) and St. Louis' Ryan O'Reilly (54.6).

It's Aud Night

The Sabres are turning back the clock, celebrating the 1980s and the team's original home. Find the full list of attending alumni and more information here.

Tune in

Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. You can also listen to the game on WGR 550, with puck drop scheduled for 7.