Despite having the longest current NHL playoff drought (12 years), the Buffalo Sabres appeared to be Stanley Cup contenders when they played the Detroit Red Wings in the previous season.
The Red Wings were defeated 24-16 by the Sabres in a four-game season series that saw two shootout victories.
When the teams play their first game of the season at KeyBank Arena tonight (7:30, ESPN-
Plus/Hulu), Tage Thompson, one of the players who caused the most damage, is expected to return to the starting lineup.
After missing nine games due to an upper-body injury, Thompson finished the 2022 season with 47 goa
ls and six points (three goals, three assists) in an 8-3 victory over Detroit.
Buffalo has two defense-oriented No. 1 overall picks in Owen Power (2021)and Rasmus Dahlin (2018).
Derek Lalonde, the Red Wings’ coach, described them as “very high-end.” We were completely destroyed by the Sabres last year. To the extent that, given how much they got away with it last year, perhaps I ought to send bills to a few of those guys who have the big contracts this summer. They are among the league’s best players. They’re beneficial to the league, and our shared division presents a significant obstacle for us. Undoubtedly, it was a challenge we struggled with last year.
After six games, the Red Wings (13-7-3) are 5-1. The Sabres (10-13-2) have dropped their last three games and are 3-7-1 over their previous 11.
Though he did not play tonight, Patrick Kane participated in his first full practice on Monday. On Thursday night at home against San Jose, he might make his Red Wings and season debut.
After suffering defeats in Sweden to Ottawa (5-4 in overtime) and Toronto (3-2), Lalonde claimed his team has played with greater urgency.
They simply had a very bad taste in their mouths from losing the two kinds of games that we played pretty well,” Lalonde remarked. “I believe the message was one of more comprehensive hockey. I believe that where we are is extremely realistic. We cannot expect to win games by sleepwalking through them. We must always be alert, and I believe that’s what we’ve done.
“Those elite-type difference-makers aren’t here, where you can play badly and still win. I believe there is still a need for a full game.
For Detroit, Alex Lyon will start in goal. In four appearances, he has a 1.26 goals-against average, a.958 save percentage, and three straight victories as a starter.
Buffalo’s starting center, Eric Comrie, made three appearances with the Red Wings in the 2019–20 season.
