Sabres Look to Correct Mistakes in Quick Turnaround Versus Red Wings

Defensive coverage lapses are the focus heading into Saturday night. The Buffalo Sabres are in Detroit to face the Red Wings as they look to shake off a disappointing defeat on Friday. The Sabres lost to the New York Islanders, 4-3, in a close game determined by recurring mental mistakes.

“We handed them three goals,” head coach Lindy Ruff said postgame. “We’re not going to win a lot of games if you hand the opposition two or three breakaways or two on one or nothing plays.”

More: Coverage Issues Continue as Zucker Carries Sabres

The good news for Buffalo is that a goldfish mentality can occur with the quick turnaround heading into Saturday night’s game. The Red Wings have had their own struggles, with a goal differential worse than the Sabres at -7.

Where to Watch

Gametime: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, MI)

TV: MSG; FDSNDET

Stream: MSG+; ESPN+ (Out of market)

Radio: WGR550

Sabres Gameday

Ruff alluded to the opportunity to use fresh legs in the second game of a back-to-back with the Sabres carrying three extra players. Forward Jiri Kulich and defensemen Dennis Gilbert and Jacob Bryson sat out Friday’s affair in Buffalo and are available to play Saturday.

Kulich has appeared in seven games so far this season for the Sabres and should get a shot against the Red Wings. With the shuffling of forward lines in the third period against New York, it’s tough to determine who will come out of the lineup to make room for him.

Bryson has yet to play a game this season for Buffalo, and Gilbert has only dressed in one game as the team’s seventh defenseman. With coverage issues a problem in the defensive zone, it might be worth giving the duo, who has practiced together since day one of training camp. a chance to show what they can do.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to get the start in net for the Sabres, as Devon Levi played on Friday.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are coming off a 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, marking their third straight loss. The Sabres defeated the Red Wings to initiate the winless streak in Buffalo on October 26th.

Patrick Kane didn’t have a shot on goal in the game and didn’t register a shot attempt until midway through the third period. Detroit is looking to get him going, placing him on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat.

The move leaves a much more defensively-responsible second line with J.T. Compher centering Andrew Copp and Lucas Raymond. Buffalo’s top line exploited the defensive shortcomings of Compher’s line in their previous matchup when Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko were his wingers.

Cam Talbot will start in goal for the Red Wings. Despite a 3.16 goals-against average, he boasts a .913 save percentage and has 1.51 goals saved above expected per Evolving-Hockey.

Injury Report

Buffalo Sabres

• Zach Benson (Lower Body) Day-to-day

Detroit Red Wings

• Tyler Motte (Upper Body) Day-to-day
• Tim Gettinger (Undisclosed) Out [IR]
• Jack Campbell (Player Assistance) Out [IR]

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Forwards (Projected)

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

Jiri Kulich – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Jordan Greenway – Ryan McLeod – Jason Zucker

Beck Malenstyn – Peyton Krebs – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Defense (Projected)

Rasmus Dahlin – Henri Jokiharju

Bowen Byram – Owen Power

Jacob Bryson – Dennis Gilbert

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards (Confirmed)

Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Larkin – Patrick Kane

Andrew Copp – J.T. Compher – Lucas Raymond

Michael Rasmussen – Marco Kasper – Vladimir Tarasenko

Tyler Motte – Joe Veleno – Christian Fischer

Defense (Confirmed)

Simon Edvinsson – Moritz Seider

Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petry

Erik Gustafsson – Justin Holl

Goalie (Confirmed)

Cam Talbot

Source: Ansar Khan, MLive.com

Betting Breakdown

There is a betting edge on the Buffalo Sabres tonight, as most sportsbooks have the Detroit Red Wings favored. The PuckLuck projection model does not agree, giving a slight edge to the Sabres to win the game.

The bet is safer on the puckline with Buffalo getting a goal and a half, but the payout isn’t anything to bat an eye at. Watch the lines and check back with PuckLuck later in the day, as things are fluid and could shift as the lines move at your preferred sportsbook.

The under should also be under consideration, as it’s listed at 6.5 goals in most places. With a projection under six goals, there’s plenty of room to warrant a wager.

If you’re not already signed up, here are a couple of places offering exclusive deals through Buffalo Hockey Now:

Fanatics: https://fanatics.onelink.me/5kut/1v32imkp

(Up to $1000 back.)

MGM: https://mediaserver.betmgmpartners.com/renderBanner.do?zoneId=1714117

(Up to $1,500 back.)

For more betting analysis across the NHL, head over to PuckLuck.com.

*PuckLuck.com provides data related to gambling and cannot guarantee the success of any suggested or related wagers. Please gamble responsibly.*