Buffalo Sabres: 3 Keys to Beating the Columbus Blue Jackets
By Paul Taylor
As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, we look at three factors which could decide the outcome in Ohio.
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Despite currently being tied for the third-fewest points in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres continue to build a solid foundation for the future. The fact they have already tied their win total for last season, should be evidence enough.
Furthermore, after the shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres are also within one point of the 54 they finished the 2014-15 campaign with. Now, they head off to Ohio, to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This will be the second of three games between the sides this season, with Buffalo winning the first game all the way back in October. We look at three factors which will help determine if they take the season series against Columbus.
1) Joonas Korpisalo
Assuming he starts, this will be Joonas Korpisalo‘s 11th consecutive appearance in net. It would also be the longest starting streak in goal for the Blue Jackets, since Sergei Bobrovsky at the end of last season.
Make no mistake, this is fully deserved for Korpisalo. The rookie has gone 6-1-3 in his last 10 starts, with a save percentage of .935 and a goals against average of 2.13.
This form has been even better of late, leading to a record of 4-0-2 in his last six games. He will prove to be a tough proposition for the Sabres, even though it is still worth noting Columbus has conceded the second-most goals in the NHL this season.
2) Evander Kane
After being benched for one game, Evander Kane returns to the ice, to begin the healing process. Certainly, he seemed contrite enough, when discussing his most recent lapse with the media.
Of course, all of this is just words at the moment. If Kane wants to regain his teammates’ trust, he needs to be more responsible moving forward.
One thing that will help the winger, is to continue his recent scoring run for the team. He has five goals in his last six games and eight in his last 13.
3) Fighting for draft position
Both teams enter this game on 53 points, adding an interesting subplot to the occasion. Just last season, the Blue Jackets finished with 89 points, albeit seven out of a playoff spot.
In that respect, this appears to be two sides headed in opposite directions. And yet, they still find themselves level on points, leading to a potential dilemma for the Sabres.
Of course Dan Bylsma’s men want to continue to improve, but surely there must be a temptation at this point, to put themselves in the best possible draft position? Changes in the draft set-up have made to encourage against this, but this game could provide an insight into the two teams’ ambitions for the remainder of the season.
Next: Will Evander Kane be a long-term problem for the Sabres?
What do you expect from the Sabres against the Blue Jackets? Let us know in the comments section below.