Wild-Sabres gameday preview
January 4, 2018 at 5:36AM
Homestand continues
Preview: The Wild concludes a brief two-game homestand against the Sabres, whom the Wild defeated 5-4 on Nov. 22. Since Nov. 14, the Wild is tied for second in the NHL in home points (21). This is the Sabres' first game since they fell 3-2 in overtime to the Rangers at the Winter Classic. Overall, Buffalo has collected at least a point in three games in a row (1-0-2).
Players to watch: Center Jack Eichel leads the Sabres in points with 35. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has scored in each of the past two games. Former Wild winger Jason Pominville has eight goals and 16 points, and former Wild defenseman Marco Scandella has zero goals and 10 assists.
Numbers: Center Matt Cullen is one point shy of 700 for his career. The Wild is 7-1-1 when center Eric Staal records two or more points. Seven of the 10 all-time games between the Wild and Sabres at Xcel Energy Center have been decided by one goal. Buffalo is 7-5-5 when scoring first.
Injuries: Sabres D Taylor Fedun (lower-body injury) is out.
Sarah McLellan
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Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks, an injury that pauses the Washington Capitals superstar captain’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record.
