Coming off last night’s 4-2 win, the Sabres will close out their season series (1-6) with the Islanders this evening.
Leading Scorers:
Sam Reinhart (BUF) — 51 GP, 25G, 15A, 40 PTS
Mathew Barzal (NYI) — 52 GP, 15G, 26A, 41 PTS
Expected Lines:
Sabres
Skinner – Reinhart – Olofsson
Asplund – Mittelstadt – Thompson
Bjork – Cozens – Routsalainen
Sheahan – Eakin – Caggiula
Samuelsson – Ristolainen
Dahlin – Jokiharju
Bryson – Miller
Houser
Islanders
Komarov – Barzal – Eberle
Beauvillier – Nelson – Bailey
Palmieri – Zajac – Wahlstrom
Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck
Pelech – Pulock
Leddy – Mayfield
Greene – Dobson
Sorokin
Let’s talk goalies
Michael Houser
Even with the season dwindling down, it’s hard not to feel something for Michael Houser. What a story.
Houser, who’s played one game above the ECHL level since the 2016-17 season, made some gorgeous saves and backstopped the Sabres to their first win against the Islanders this season in his NHL debut.
Houser is expected to get his 2nd straight NHL start tonight.
UPL out for the season; Tokarski back home
Without giving away too many details, Interim HC Don Granato announced this morning that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be out for the remainder of the season following his injury suffered against the Bruins last week.
Granato also noted that Dustin Tokarski has gone back home due to a personal matter.
Linus Ullmark
Ullmark continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury and was “improved,” in this morning’s skate according to Granato.
Borgen out; Miller in
Colin Miller will get back into the lineup in place of Will Borgen.
Borgen has been playing alongside Jacob Bryson, so Miller likely slides into that spot.
Sam Reinhart is going to get PAID
Enjoying an incredible season in the absence of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart’s contract is going to be a major talking point in Sabres circles this summer.
Reinhart has eight goals in his last six games and leads the NHL in goals since April 11th with 12.
News/Notes:
Casey Mittelstadt has 6 points (2G, 4A) in his last six games. He has 16 points (9G, 7A) in his last 19 games.
Rasmus Asplund is on a three-game point streak.
