Sabres at Predators
THE STORY: The return of Ryan Miller can’t come soon enough for the Buffalo Sabres. The star goaltender, who has sat out the last nine games with concussion symptoms, is set to rejoin to the lineup Saturday when the Sabres visit the Nashville Predators. Jhonas Enroth, who was challenging Miller for the No. 1 spot before the injury, has been exposed in his first experience as the top netminder, allowing just under three goals per game as the starter. Poised to take advantage of Buffalo’s goaltending situation are the Predators, who broke out of an offensive slump in a 6-5 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. That marked only the second win in the last seven games for Nashville. The Predators had to pull top netminder Pekka Rinne in that game and are going through some goalie issues of their own. Nashville will be returning home following a five-game road trip.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG
ABOUT THE SABRES (13-11-1): Miller dressed on Friday but Buffalo was able to resist the urge to put him in early, despite Enroth allowing three first-period goals in a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Overall, the Sabres went 3-5-1 in Miller’s absence. While Enroth has been a problem, the offense has hit a downturn as well. Leading scorer Thomas Vanek has been held without a goal in four straight games and was minus-two without a point on Friday.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (12-9-4): Nashville’s recent skid has been due in part to the corresponding slide of Rinne, who has not earned a win since Nov. 17 and has allowed an average of 3.3 goals in his last six starts. The offense had shown no interest in bailing Rinne out until Thursday, when Mike Fisher scored a pair of goals to help the Predators overcome a 5-3 deficit. Rookie Craig Smith had three assists in the game and has taken over the team lead with 20 points.
OVERTIME:
1. Smith became the fourth rookie in Nashville history to post three assists in a game.
2. Miller is 2-2-1 with a 2.69 GAA in five career starts against the Predators.
3. Nashville took the lone meeting last season, 4-3 in overtime on March 20.