Tonight at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, the New Jersey Devils will face off against a young Buffalo Sabres squad at 7:00 PM. New Jersey will look to increase their win streak to four straight after defeating the Ottawa Senators 5-4 in thrilling fashion on Thursday evening.
Our post-game recap of Thursday night’s action can be found by clicking here.
Tonight’s matchup is the first of three during the 2015-16 regular season, with one matchup remaining in Buffalo on December 15th as well as one in New Jersey on April 5th, , 2016.
Last season, the Devils thrived in all three games played against Buffalo, sweeping the season series 3-0 with two victories at Prudential Center and one at First Niagara Center.
Who to watch:
New Jersey –
New Jersey Devils’ Lee Stempniak, left, lifts the puck past Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond (30) during an NHL hockey game shootout in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. (Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (Fred Chartrand)
Lee Stempniak – One of the newest Devils forwards, who signed with the team before the start of the regular season, is slowly becoming a fan favorite due to his performance as of late. In his last three games played, Stempniak has tallied four points (2G-2A). He also contributed to the Devils’ shootout victory on Thursday in Ottawa, scoring the game-winner in the shootout and game-tying goal in regulation on Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond.
Buffalo –
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015| CREDIT: TOM BRENNER
Tyler Ennis #63, Evander Kane #9, and Ryan O’Reilly #90 of the Buffalo Sabres talk in-between whistles during a game against the Ottawa Senators at the First Niagara Center on September 23, 2015 in Buffalo, New York.
Ryan O’Reilly – Buffalo’s 24-year old first-line center has been exceeding expectations in his first seven games played on the Sabres’ top line with 24 year-old Evander Kane (1G-2A) and 19 year-old rookie Sam Reinhart (1G-2A). O’Reilly is currently tied with Matt Moulson for the point lead among Sabres skaters with 4 points (2G-2A) in his last five games played.
Projected Sabres Lineup (per dailyfaceoff.com, subject to change)
Forwards:
Kane-O’Reilly-Reinhart
Ennis-Eichel-Gionta
Moulson-Girgensons-Foligno
Deslauriers-Larsson-McGinn
Defensemen:
Gorges-Ristolainen
McCabe-Pysyk
Weber-Franson
Goaltenders:
Linus Ullmark
Chad Johnson
Injury List: Zach Bogosian (lower body, no timetable for return), Robin Lehner (high-ankle sprain, expected to miss 6-10 weeks)
Projected Devils Lineup (per dailyfaceoff.com, subject to change)
Forwards:
Cammalleri-Henrique-Stempniak
Tlusty-Zajac-Palmieri
O’Neill-Josefson-Tootoo
Matteau-Gionta-Kalinin
Defensemen:
Greene-Larsson
Moore-Severson
Gelinas-Schlemko
Goaltenders:
Cory Schneider
Keith Kinkaid
Injury List: Ryane Clowe (concussion, long-term), Patrik Elias (knee, injured reserve)
Projected Goaltending Matchup:
Buffalo:
Linus Ullmark will play one more season in his native Sweden. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Linus Ullmark – 22 year-old Linus Ullmark is expected to make his first career NHL start tonight, as he was called up from Rochester of the American Hockey League on Friday morning. In 3 games with Rochester this season, Ullmark has a 1-2 record, 2.77 goals-against average, and a .932 save percentage.
New Jersey:
New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider in 2015. (Credits: foxsports.com)
Cory Schneider – After earning three consecutive wins with the Devils, Schneider comes into tonight’s game with a 3-1-1 record, .927 save percentage, and a 2.14 goals against average in 5 games played this season. He stopped 35 of 39 shots on goal with 4 goals against in 63:52 played on Thursday.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all updates throughout the evening. Our Twitter and Instagram pages can be found by searching @DevilsArmyBlog. If you are unable to attend the game, it will be televised on MSG+ in the New York City area and on MSG-Buffalo in Upstate/Western New York beginning at 6:30 PM. Bell TV will also carry tonight’s game to subscribers north of the border.
Nick Papadimas is a New Jersey native, New Jersey Devils season ticket holder, and avid hockey fan. He is an aspiring sports journalist who has covered high school sports and local events for TAPinto.net since 2012. Nick can be reached on Twitter (@ngpaps) or by e-mail at papadimasn@icloud.com.