Will the fights and physicality continue against Tampa Bay?
audacy.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The Buffalo Sabres have taken five out of six points against the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, including high-scoring wins of 8-7 and 6-2, with the 8-7 game featuring a 102 penalty minute brawl.
- Tampa Bay's physical play, involving players like Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel, has led to intense and sometimes dirty confrontations, though Hagel is injured and will miss the upcoming game.
- The Sabres are seeking a crucial regulation win to overtake the Lightning for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, as they currently trail by two points and have a worse recent record, especially on defense.
- Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start for Buffalo, boasting a strong recent record, while Tampa Bay will likely have Andrei Vasilevskiy in net, who has been solid despite recent struggles.
- The upcoming game is anticipated to be highly competitive and physical, with both teams motivated due to standings implications and recent intense encounters.
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