Buffalo pits itself against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
By Ryan Wolfe / Diebytheblade.com
Buffalo Sabres (19-17-7) vs. St. Louis Blues (27-10-7)
Puck Drop: 8 PM EST | Enterprise Center | St. Louis, MO
TV: MSG-B
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Blues Blog: St. Louis Game Time
Know Your Opponent
St. Louis Blues
Record: 27-10-7
Last 10: 7-2-1
Division Ranking: 1st in Central Division
Conference Ranking: 1st in Western Conference
PP: 5th (24.4%)
PK: T-15th (80.8%)
What to Watch
1. Time for Liftoff
For the first time this season, defenseman Lawrence Pilut finds himself not only with the Buffalo Sabres but in the starting lineup.
Pilut has spent the season down with the Rochester Americans in the AHL and has excelled in all situations.
At this point, with Jake McCabe day-to-day, Pilut appears to be getting a golden opportunity to flank Rasmus Ristolainen and show the coaching staff that he indeed is ready to stick around.
2. Winning Ways
The Buffalo Sabres have won two in a row, starting 2020 off on the right foot.
With their very-much disjointed schedule throughout the month of January, one would think that momentum will be very hard to come by.
Facing off against the best team in the Western Conference, Buffalo will need all the luck and momentum that they can muster up.
3. Frolik’s Debut
On Thursday night, newly acquired forward Michael Frolik is expected to make his Buffalo Sabres debut.
According to Sabres.com, Frolik arrived in Buffalo on Tuesday night at 7:30 PM and took the ice for the first time shortly there after.
“It was a quick skate, 20 minutes, and it was good,” Frolik told Sabres.com. “I needed to feel the ice a little bit before I jumped into it.”
Frolik’s 832nd career game will go in the books as his first with the Sabres organization.
In his previous 831 games, Frolik has tallied 380 points (158 goals, 222 assists). This season, Frolik has amasses 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 38 games.