Islanders vs Sabres Preview: Isles Look to Stay Perfect Against Buffalo

The New York Islanders kick off a three-game series at the Nassau Coliseum against the Buffalo Sabres tonight. Puck drop for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. eastern time.

This game also kicks off a five-game homestand for the Islanders. After their mini-series against the Sabres, the blue and orange will face off against Boston on March 9 and New Jersey on March 11.

The Islanders come into this game on a two-game winning streak. Last time out, on Tuesday night, the Isles beat the Devils at the Prudential Center 2-1.

Things have been going the opposite way for the Sabres. They are currently on a four-game losing streak. On Tuesday they lost to the Rangers 3-2 at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Islanders look to stay perfect against the Buffalo Sabres

Throughout this season, the Isles and Sabres have met three times, and the Islanders have won each game and have scored three goals in each respective game.

Tale of the Tape

Odds

The Islanders come into today as the favorites, courtesy of the Action network.

It is no surprise the Islanders are the favorites tonight considering they have had the Sabres number this season and have been extremely tough to beat at the Coliseum.

Projected Lineups

Barry Trotz has kept the Islanders lineup consistent during this good run of form and they are not expected to make any changes tonight.

Semyon Varlamov is projected to get the start in goal after picking up the win on Tuesday and Ilya Sorokin looks set to back him up.

The Islanders are projected to lineup like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Wahlstrom-Pageau-Dal Colle
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Mayfield
Dobson-Greene

Varlamov (Sorokin)

The Sabres are also not expected to make any alterations to their lineup for this evening. Although they lost on Tuesday, they performed well against the Rangers and outshot them 24-19.

Carter Harton is projected to be named the starter tonight. Buffalo will be without, number one netminder, Linus Ullmark. Ullmark is set to miss at least one month with a lower-body injury.

The Sabres are projected to lineup like this:

Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Hall-Staal-Okposo
Rieder-Eakin-Cozens
Skinner-Lazar-Sheahan

Dahlin-Ristolainen
Montour-Jokiharju
Bryson-Miller

Hutton (Johansson)

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Where to Catch the Game

TV: MSG+, MSG-B, MSG GO APP

Radio: 88.7FM 103.9FM 970AM

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*