Buffalo Sabres: 3 Keys Versus the San Jose Sharks
By Paul Taylor
As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to take on the San Jose Sharks, we look at three factors which could decide the outcome in California.
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The Buffalo Sabres three-game California road trip didn’t get off to the best of starts on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to the Anaheim Ducks. However, Dan Bylsma‘s men can take pride in keeping it close against a team with the best record in the NHL since Christmas.
Next up, the Sabres take on the San Jose Sharks, who currently find themselves with a six-point cushion in the race for the playoffs in the Western Conference. Furthermore, they are well-positioned to move up the standings, if they can maintain their recent momentum, going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
This will be the second of two meetings between the sides this season, with San Jose winning the first game on a shootout, back in mid-November. We look at three factors which will help determine if Buffalo can gain some measure of revenge.
1) Something in the name Joe
Joe Thornton is another example of how it is possible for professional athletes to still excel in their late thirties. The 36-year old is tied for the team lead in points, with 56.
Thornton is just two games removed from a two-goal, two-assist performance against the St. Louis Blues. In general, the former first overall draft pick has been in a zone since December 15, been held off the scoresheet just three times in 30 games.
Meanwhile, Joe Pavelski has been his usual productive self for the Sharks, averaging nearly a point per game. In fact, he has an outside chance of setting a new single-season best by the end of the campaign.
2) Leaning on youth in the middle
With Ryan O’Reilly‘s injury, Buffalo made the decision to move Sam Reinhart back to center. Although there are some concerns about his strength when playing in the middle, the next three-four weeks will provide the 20-year old with some priceless experience.
Furthermore, Reinhart has already proven this season that he is a smart player, which should help with the process of adapting back to the center position. Expect an increase in his ice time and the opportunities to add to his team-leading 18 goals.
In the absence of O’Reilly, the Sabres will also rely on Jack Eichel more. While this means the top two centers lack experience, the duo represent the future of the organization, which is looking more promising with every passing game.
3) A lack of home ice-advantage
For a team in the Sharks position, they don’t have a particularly impressive advantage at the SAP Center. Their record of 11-12-3, is the worst on home-ice for all 16 teams currently in a playoff spot.
In that respect, their recent 6-2-2 streak can be explained by playing eight of the 10 games on the road, where they have been much more impressive. In fact, in start contrast to playing at home, San Jose has the most points on the road in the NHL this season.
From the Sabres point of view, they have a better record on the road than at First Niagara Center. They have gone 6-6-1 on their travels since the turn of the year, and will enter Friday night’s game with nothing to fear.
Next: Will Evander Kane be a long-term problem for Buffalo?
What do you expect from the Sabres against the Sharks? Let us know in the comments section below.