Sabres vs Islanders predictions
When it comes to the Buffalo Sabres, it's hard not to think about Tage Thompson, even though he's on injured reserve. His absence undoubtedly leaves a void on the ice and a dent in the team’s morale. That said, all eyes might turn to Owen Power, who has shown a knack for setting up plays with 17 assists. Power's ability to dish out assists can spark some offensive opportunities, and that’s what Buffalo needs to break their 13-game losing streak. Keep an eye on how they handle the puck without their top goal-scorer. What do you think? Could this be the moment we see some unexpected heroics from another Sabres player?
Now, swing over to the New York Islanders. Anders Lee surely tops the list in terms of impact players, although his day-to-day status raises some questions. He’s the pulse of their offense, racking up 13 goals and 27 points overall. Bo Horvat, despite being listed as day-to-day as well, is another crucial piece. With 16 assists to his name, he has the potential to slice through Buffalo’s defenses if he hits the ice ready to perform. Both Lee and Horvat's availability will loom large over this matchup and might just be the edge the Islanders need to maintain dominance in the regular season series. Imagine the confidence boost they'd get from a full squad tonight on home ice at UBS Arena.
Taking all this into account, the momentum definitely tilts toward the New York Islanders in this game. With home advantage and a 2-0 lead in the season series, the odds are stacked in their favor. Buffalo’s road performance has been less than stellar, and without their key player, overcoming those odds could be a Herculean task. If Lee and Horvat join the lineup, it would be like pouring gasoline on the Islanders’ fire. The Sabres will need to dig deep to stifle the Islanders' attack, but in this scenario, the safe bet seems to rest with the Islanders pulling off another win. But hey, in the NHL, anything can happen, right?
