Sabres at Blackhawks
THE STORY: The Chicago Blackhawks are locked in a battle atop the Central Division with the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues, thanks in large part to their potent offense. The Buffalo Sabres have watched their playoff hopes dim thanks in large part to an offense that can no longer keep pace. The Blackhawks are 3-0-2 in their last five, totaling 14 goals in the three victories. Corey Crawford and Ray Emery have been solid in goal, but Chicago’s stars have been on the top line, where Viktor Stalberg, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have each been strong. The Sabres have dropped two straight and 11 of their past 14 to fall out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference. Entering Wednesday’s game in Chicago, Buffalo has averaged 1.4 goals in its last 11 losses, topping two tallies only once in that span.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2
ABOUT THE SABRES (19-21-5): Buffalo bottomed out on Monday in a 5-0 loss at Detroit. Goalie Ryan Miller was pulled in the second period and the Sabres were shut out for the second time in the last four games. Buffalo made big commitments in free agency over the summer, but have dealt with a rash of injuries to go along with breakdowns on the ice. The Sabres have dropped nine straight on the road and are only two games through a seven-game trip.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (27-13-6): Stalberg has five goals and six points in the last four games while Toews has chipped in five points over that same span. The top line has gotten some scoring help lately from rookie left wing Andrew Shaw, who recorded the game-winner in Saturday’s 4-3 triumph over the San Jose Sharks and has four tallies in the first seven games of his career.
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago RW Marian Hossa does not have a goal this month but has recorded at least one assist in five straight.
2. Miller is 2-1-0 with a 2.02 goals-against average in three career starts against the Blackhawks.
3. Chicago took both meetings last season, each by a 4-3 score.