Sabres at Ducks
The Buffalo Sabres hope to conclude their five-game Western road trip with back-to-back victories when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. Buffalo began its trek with a shutout win in Arizona but totaled two goals in setbacks against Vegas and San Jose before rolling to a 5-1 triumph Saturday in Los Angeles.
Jeff Skinner registered his fifth career hat trick in the win while Jason Pominville recorded a tally and two assists to hit the 700-point mark in his career. Anaheim is coming off its second regulation loss in eight games this season, a 3-1 setback at Vegas on Saturday. Captain Ryan Getzlaf returned from a groin injury, but the Ducks were limited to 18 shots and went 0-for-2 on the power play. Ben Street has been a big contributor in the wake of Anaheim's early-season injuries, recording three goals and two assists over eight games in his first season with the team after notching three assists in his first 35 NHL contests.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (Buffalo), FS West (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE SABRES (4-4-0): The 35-year-old Pominville, who recorded one point in his first seven contests this season, is closing in on another milestone as he is five games away from 1,000 in the NHL. Skinner has enjoyed the road trip thus far, registering four goals and two assists over the first four games after being held without a point during Buffalo's season-opening four-game homestand. The 26-year-old, who needs two power-play points to reach the century mark for his career, has posted a plus-7 rating through eight games after finishing a career-worst minus-27 while appearing in all 82 contests with Carolina last season.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (5-2-1): Getzlaf, who was sidelined for five games, registered an assist and delivered six hits while going 8-9 on faceoffs in just over 17 minutes of ice time on Saturday. Pontus Aberg saw just over 13 minutes of action and recorded one shot and a plus-1 rating after being recalled from San Diego of the American Hockey League on Friday. The 25-year-old Swedish left wing, who made his team debut in the season opener, collected five goals and 13 assists in 68 career games with Nashville and Edmonton before being claimed off waivers from the Oilers at the beginning of the month.
OVERTIME
1. Sabres captain Jack Eichel notched three assists against the Kings but has gone five games without a goal.
2. Anaheim will retire Paul Kariya's No. 9 during a pregame ceremony.
3. Buffalo D Nathan Beaulieu (undisclosed) missed Saturday's contest and is day-to-day.