Game day: Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
The future of American hockey — Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews — meet at the Air Canada Centre.
https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2017/01/16/game-day-buffalo-sabres-at-toronto-maple-leafs.html
By Mark ZwolinskiSports reporter
Mon., Jan. 16, 2017
AIR CANADA CENTRE
PUCK DROP: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet
RADIO: TSN 1050
KEY PLAYERS
Jack Eichel, Sabres, and Auston Matthews, Leafs. Two of the best American-born players in the game. Eichel, who scored twice Monday in a win over Dallas, has nine points in his last 10 games. Matthews might be the top rookie in the NHL at the moment. The two represent the future of U.S. hockey, and it will be interesting to see if the respective coaching staffs manage their changes so that the two can go head to head on the ice.
NEED TO KNOW
Tyler Ennis needed just 19 seconds to score Monday in his return from a two-month layoff. The five-foot-nine Ennis played just 12 games this season before undergoing groin surgery in November. He missed all but 23 games last season with various injuries, including a concussion . . . Goalie Robin Lehner also returned against the Stars, after missing three games due to illness . . . The Sabres have a losing record (17-17-9) and have been in and out of last place in the Atlantic Division, but they are just five points behind the third-place Leafs . . . Sabres centre Ryan O’Reilly might be a bit of an unsung talent, but not to Leafs coach Mike Babcock. The two have been part of gold-medal and World Cup-winning Canadian teams in international play . . . Defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen has been hot for Buffalo, with three goals and 15 assists in his last 21 games before Monday.
UP NEXT
Thursday, vs, New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Game Day: Sabres at Maple Leafs
By Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/01/16/game-day-sabres-at-maple-leafs
BUFFALO SABRES at TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Air Canada Centre,
TV: Sportsnet; Radio: 1050 AM
THE BIG MATCHUP
Jack Eichel vs. Auston Matthews
First NHL meeting of the American stars and Team North America mates from the autumn World Cup in this building, where it was the opinion of many that Matthews had the better tournament. But after an injury in the first test between these teams in early November, Eichel has 17 points in 22 games, including two goals Monday in Buffalo’s win over Dallas.
SPECIAL TEAMS
LEAFS -- PP 23.8% (2nd), PK 84.4% (8th)
SABRES -- PP 21.3% (10th), PK 74.2% (30th)
SICK BAY
LEAFS -- D Martin Marincin (lower body); C Ben Smith (hand)
SABRES -- D Josh Gorges (hip); D Dmitry Kulikov (back); F Johan Larsson (wrist/elbow)