Islanders & Accountability After going 2-1-0 in California, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/new-york-islanders-hudson-fasching-buffalo-sabres-history-rivalry-march-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs] (29-21-14) return to the Empire State to face the Buffalo Sabres (31-30-5). Puck drop from KeyBank Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1MDE2Njg4NTgyNzMxMzk2/usatsi_21706977.jpg] Thursday's game marks the final meeting of the season between the two teams. The Islanders defeated the Sabres in their season opener on Oct. 14, but Buffalo bested them one week later in the Queen City. Due to a 6-3-1 stretch and winners of their last two games, the Sabres find themselves five points back of the Islanders for the final wild-card spot. "It's a good team. They're playing really good hockey," Islanders Mathew Barzal said. "They got a great defense core, a young defense core. They got serious firepower up front, so it's gonna be a challenge tonight. This is such a big game, and obviously, the standings are really tight right now. They're making a serious push right now. So it's just a big game for both sides. "I think it's gonna be a challenge tonight. I think it's gonna be a great game. I think it's gonna be a war. Two desperate teams, and both teams are playing pretty good hockey." WHERE THEY'VE BEEN: Buffalo enters Thursday's game off a 7-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. T The Sabres scored early and often across the first two periods, with six different skaters lighting the lamp. Zach Benson led Buffalo with a goal and two assists in the game, while Bowen Byram scored twice. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves in the victory. The Red Wings' loss put the Islanders back into a playoff spot; Detroit returns to action against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. However, Buffalo has made up ground in the playoff race with Detroit's struggles, sitting five points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Despite Semyon Varlamov being in the starter's net in practice Wednesday, Ilya Sorokin will make his 47th start and 48th appearance of the season (22-14-18, 2.99 GAA, .910 SV%). He let up two goals on 24 shots in Monday's loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Against the Sabres, he is 5-2-2 with a 2.55 GAA and .914 SV%, last earning the win with 26 saves in game one of the season. Noah Dobson scored his first goal of the season against Buffalo in their last meeting, The defenseman has since enjoyed a career year with eight goals and 56 assists on the season. While his seven-game point streak was snapped in Los Angeles on Monday, Mathew Barzal has had a successful road trip with a goal and two assists. Bo Horvat also got two red lights and three helpers across the California swing. While being held off the board in their first two meetings, Anders Lee has the most goals for active Islanders against the Sabres with 14. Casey Cizikas tops the remaining categories with 14 goals and 20 assists; he also scored the game-winner in their first meeting at UBS Arena. Luukkonen will make his 39th start of the season and fifth in six games this month (21-16-3, 2.44 GAA, .914 SV%). Against New York, he is 1-1-0 with a 2.56 GAA and .923 SV%, surrendering three goals on 39 shots in a loss on March 7, 2023. With his two-goal game on Tuesday, Byram has gotten off to a hot start in Buffalo. The defenseman, traded from Colorado before the Trade Deadline, has three goals and an assist across his first three games with the Sabres. Jeff Skinner, who had a goal and assist in their last meeting, leads Buffalo's offense across the board against the Islanders; the former Carolina Hurricane has 14 goals and 13 assists, 27 points, in 46 games against New York. NEW YORK ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES: Brock Nelson - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Kyle Palmieri Pierre Engvall - Casey Cizikas - Simon Holmstrom Matt Martin - Kyle MacLean - Cal Clutterbuck Alexander Romanov - Ryan Pulock Adam Pelech - Noah Dobson Mike Reilly - Sebastian Aho Ilya Sorokin Semyon Varlamov BUFFALO SABRES PROJECTED LINES: Zemgus Girgensons - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch Jordan Greenway - Dylan Cozens - Zach Benson Jeff Skinner - Peyton Krebs - J.J. Peterka Eric Robinson - Tyson Jost - Victor Olofsson Bowen Byram - Rasmus Dahlin Owen Power - Henri Jokiharju Jacob Bryson - Connor Clifton Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Eric Comrie HOW TO WATCH: Thursday's game will air on MSGSN. On the radio, the contest will air on 88.7 FM WRHU, 103.9 LI News Radio and the ESPN NY app.
