Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, after the 4 Nations break, had a plan to keep his club motivated to make a late run and challenge for a playoff spot. He planned to earn seven points in each five-game block and win the final three games of the regular season to reach 90 points. That plan did not work, as the Sabres fell short in the first five-game block and endured a six-game winless skid before a 3-2 win over Edmonton on Monday.
The Sabres hope to finish off another disappointing season with a positive final quarter and, on Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena, throw a wrench into the Detroit Red Wings' postseason aspirations.
The win over the Oilers included a few factors that have been missing from Buffalo’s outings of late. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was impressive in a 32-save performance for his 21st victory of the season, and the Sabres were successful in playing a two-way game against two of the NHL’s top stars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Veteran forward Jason Zucker and winger JJ Peterka were not on the ice at practice on Tuesday. Ruff indicated that Zucker was excused due to maintenance on a lower-body injury that had kept him out for two weeks. Peterka was dealing with his own lower-body injury. On Wednesday, the Sabres head coach indicated that he would not play and could be out another game or two. Peterka is tied with Rasmus Dahlin for second in team scoring with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 61 games.
The club did not skate on Wednesday morning, so Zucker will be a game-time decision. Jiri Kulich, who missed the last two games due to illness, is expected to return to the lineup. Luukkonen is slated to make his 47th start of the season, while veteran Petr Mrazek, who was obtained by the Wings from Chicago last week, will make his first start for Detroit in seven years.
