The Vancouver Canucks take on the Buffalo Sabres on Friday afternoon.
The Vancouver Canucks (11-7-3) play a rare matinee game on Friday as they take on the Buffalo Sabres (11-10-1) for the first time this season. Last year, Vancouver swept the season series, which included a 1-0 win at the KeyBank Center. With a win, the Canucks would improve their record on the road this season to 9-2-0 while picking up their third win in the last four games.
The biggest storyline heading into this game will be how Vancouver overcomes the loss of Filip Hronek. The Canucks defenceman was injured late against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with multiple reports indicating that Hronek will miss significant time. Not only will the team need to find a new partner for Quinn Hughes, but they will also need the rest of the defence core to step up in Hronek's absence.
Players to Watch:
Erik Brännström:
One defender who should see more minutes in Hronek's absence is Erik Brännström. While Brännström is left-handed, he can play on both sides and should see an increase in power play time. A puck-moving defenceman who has six points in 18 games this season, Brännström should see more than his season average of 14:56 against Buffalo.
Sam Lafferty:
The Canucks will face a familiar face on Friday in Sam Lafferty. The 29-year-old signed with the Sabres as a free agent this past offseason and has one goal in 21 games this season. While he may not be racking up the points, if recent history has taught Vancouver fans anything, it is that Lafferty may be due for some points against his former team.
Vancouver Canucks Projected Lineup:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Sherwood
Joshua-Suter-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Boeser
Höglander-Räty-Sasson
Hughes-Myers
Brännström-Desharnais
Soucy-Juulsen
Lankinen
Šilovs
Top 5 Scoring Leaders (Goals, Assists, Points):
Vancouver Canucks (11-7-3):
Quinn Hughes: 5-18-23
Conor Garland: 6-12-18
Elias Pettersson: 7-10-17
J.T. Miller: 6-10-16
Jake DeBrusk: 6-8-14
Buffalo Sabres (11-10-1)
Alex Tuch: 7-14-21
Rasmus Dahlin: 6-13-19
Tage Thompson: 11-7-18
JJ Peterka: 7-9-16
Owen Power: 3-12-15
Game Information:
Start Time: Noon PT
Venue: KeyBank Center
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
