The Buffalo Sabres face the Edmonton Oilers in the midst of a three game losing skid, having given up four or more goals in each of those games, including a 7-4 loss to the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
The two teams have been linked together through trades with Oilers rookie Matt Savoie as a big acquisition from the Sabres last summer. There have also been connections in trade rumours with the Sabres running with a crowded crease and through star forward Alex Tuch in particular.
The Sabres are in the middle of a freefall, meanwhile the Oilers have really started to turn their season around in recent games. A much different narrative than less than a month ago when the circumstances were flipped and the Sabres bested Edmonton 5-1.
This game provides a good battleground for the Oilers to get revenge for that game and for the team to show just how far they have improved since then. Head coach Kris Knoblauch indicated they will not make any changes to their lineup from last game, a 6-2 victory over their Western Canadian rival Winnipeg Jets.
The Oilers making no changes to their lineup is also a bittersweet revelation. Itmeans that there are multiple key players still sidelined with injuries like; Kasperi Kapanen, Jake Walman, Jack Roslovic, Noah Philp, and Connor Clattenburg.
Players to watch
Matt Savoie
The Oilers rookie has been on the upswing in recent games with five points (four goals, one assist) through six games. He has become a key member of the team and is set to face his former team once again, this time with a consistent top-six spot carved out in the Oilers lineup.
Stuart Skinner
It is a perfect opportunity for Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner to keep up his recent play, especially against a team that has multiple players who have been involved in trade rumours at the goaltending position. He is not only essentially fighting for his future in net and proving his worth as the Oilers netminder but he is also directly competing against players who could stand to take his job.
Evan Bouchard
The Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard has been on fire in recent games with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his past 10 games. Against the Sabres he will likely be compared to his counterpart, Rasmus Dahlin. If the Oilers are to win on Tuesday, he will look to be a key piece of their efforts.