Buffalo Sabres at New York Islanders [Game 37]

			-AT-
			7:00 PM EST
Radio	Network		Arena		Network	Radio
550 AM WGR	MSGB		Barclays Center		MSG+	88.7 FM WRHU
League	Value		Metric		Value	League
30th	34.7%		Points Percentage		58.3%	13th
31st	4.72%		Net Power Play Percentage		16.26%	14th
9th	85.71%		Net Penalty Kill Percentage		77.36%	30th
31st	90.43%		Combined Special Teams Percentage		93.62%	26th
31st	2.17		Goals for per Game (All Situations)		3.61	2nd
28th	3.33		Goals against per Game (All Situations)		3.53	31st
20th	-.17		Penalty +/- per Game (All Situations)		.47	5th
28th	46.56%		Shot Attempt Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		49.14%	20th
29th	46.42%		Scoring Chance Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		47.48%	23rd
29th	98.04%		P.D.O. (5V5)		101.34%	7th
29th	6.17%		Shooting Percentage (5V5)		9.70%	1st
24th	91.88%		Save Percentage (5V5)		91.64%	26th
Data from Hockey-Reference.com and Natural Stat Trick
The Enemies' Lair
Die By The Blade

The other battle of New York takes place tonight as the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres square off for the second time at Barclays this year. The last contest was rather abnormal - both teams scored two short handed goals a piece with the Islanders scoring two on the same penalty kill as they ultimately downed Buffalo six to three. That was the start of a rather precipitous power play for the Islanders as they started off as the worst team in the league in that aspect, but they've since rebounded and now rank in the top half.

The Sabres did the Islanders a favor in their last contest by beating the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of four to two in regulation, but otherwise they're rather awful. They're second to last in points percentage, last in special teams, last in offense, and are bottom ten in nearly every important statistical category. There should be no moral victories in this contest - it would be disappointing if the Islanders don't win this one while also winning the possession battle.

Ryan Pulock is out of this game because Doug Weight says he doesn't shoot enough. Dennis Seidenberg will get the start over him on the right side. No other changes to the lineup will be made.

Jaroslav Halak will start tonight's game for the Islanders. Manning the other net will be an individual that some Islanders fans think they should acquire in Robin Lehner (they shouldn't). Halak has been the better goalie so far this year marking another advantage for the Islanders.

Tonight's game will be on MSG+ (Take that, New Jersey Devils!). Puck drop is at 7:05 P.M. E.S.T.

Buffalo Sabres Lineup

New York Islanders Lineup