Stats to Consider: Sabres / Isles

The Sabres come streaking back into HSBC Arena tonight, where they’ll face off against the winless, yet still have more points than the Maple Leafs, Islanders.  Let’s check out some numbers for tonight’s game.

Remember last week when the Sabres 5 on 5 goals for and against ratio was so terrible?  Well, the win against the Wings changed that.  I guess that stat more accurately represents how well the Sabres have been controlling the puck and dictating play during even strength.  As a matter of fact, the Sabres have only given up 1 goal during 5 on 5 play this season, while potting 7 even strength.

The Isles on the other hand…not so much.  Coming in giving up more goals even strength, 9, than having scored, 5.  If the Sabres continue their hard forecheck, and decisive back check, this trend ought to continue.

Along those same lines, the Sabres continue to lead the league in shots per game, 38.2, and 2nd in shots against with 22.8.  The Isles come in giving up 30.5 a game, while taking 30.0.

The one area where the Isles have a statistical advantage, comes on the PP.  Currently the Islanders rank 19th in PP% at 20%, and 2nd in PK% at 92.3%.  Granted of course, the Isles have only been shorthanded 13 times, but it is still a solid number. The Sabres, who have been abysmal on special teams, come in at 26th on the PP at a 13.6% clip, and 9th on the PK at 83.3%.

The one x-factor tonight is how the Sabres respond to the short absence of Thomas Vanek from the lineup.  It’s unknown as of this morning who will be moving into his 1st LW position (though it does look like Dan Paille will be inserted into the lineup, somewhere).  Ruff has said he doesn’t want to mess with the chemistry of the other 3 lines, so Paille may be going from healthy scratch to top line, just like that.

I’ll be missing tonight’s game, as AC/DC only comes to town so often.  But you know I’ll be following along. Let’s go Buffalo.

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Thomas Vanek