The Buffalo Sabres (16-14-2, 34 points, 5th Atlantic) are on the road Tuesday when facing the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-21-2, 22 points, 8th Metro). Buffalo defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 last Monday in their final game prior to the Christmas break. The victory was Buffalo's fourth straight. Columbus was defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 last Friday in their final game before the break and Blue Jackets have lost each of the last six and nine of the last 11. Buffalo will play without Ben Bishop, Jacob Bryson, Eric Comrie, Henri Jokiharju and Owen Power. Columbus will play without Jake Bean, Nick Blankenburg, Justin Danforth, Boone Jenner, Zach Werenski and Jakub Voracek.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.94 goals per game which is first in the NHL. The Sabres are averaging 32.1 shots per game which is 13. Buffalo’s power play is second best in the NHL, as the Sabres are scoring 29.8% of the time they have the man advantage. Tage Thompson is the leading goal scorer for Buffalo with 26, while Jeff Skinner is second with 16. Buffalo has 6 players with 10 goals or more. The leader in assists is Rasmus Dahlin with 27, while Thompson has 24. Thompson is the points leader with 50 and Dahlin is second with 37. Buffalo has scored 36 goals on the power play in 32 games.
Buffalo is allowing an average of 3.41 goals per game which is 22nd in the NHL. Buffalo is allowing an average of 32.9 shots per game which is 25th. Buffalo's penalty-kill unit is below average, holding opponents scoreless only 73.4% of the time the Sabres are short-handed, which is 25th. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 5-3-1 with a 3.44 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. The 23-year old Finn has taken over the top spot in goal from veteran Craig Anderson who has not seen action since the 17th of December.