Buffalo Sabres Prepare to Battle Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center

As the Buffalo Sabres gear up to host the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The upcoming game on January 20th promises to be a thrilling encounter, but what can we expect from the Sabres based on their recent performances?

The Sabres have been a team of contrasts in their last few outings. On December 22nd against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they displayed an offensive masterclass, netting an impressive nine goals on 34 shots for a shooting percentage of 27 percent. Their powerplay was particularly effective that night, contributing significantly to their dominant victory.

However, just two days later on December 24th against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, things didn't go as smoothly. Despite managing three goals and maintaining a solid hit count of 15, they fell short in overtime with goaltending saving only 88 percent of shots faced.

This inconsistency is something that will need addressing before facing Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning are known for their speed and skillful playmaking abilities which could pose significant challenges for the Sabres' defense and goaltending.

One area where the Sabres have shown promise is in even-strength situations. In both mentioned games, even-strength goals accounted for most of their scoring. This strength will be crucial against a well-rounded team like TB.

The key player matchup will likely be between each team's top scorers and goaltenders – who can outshine who will play a major part in determining this game's outcome.

In conclusion, if Buffalo can channel their high-scoring energy from December 22nd and tighten up defensively while getting consistent goalkeeping performance as seen throughout most games this season – there's every chance they could skate away with two points come January 20th.

Sabre fans should mark their calendars for this exciting matchup scheduled at KeyBank Center starting at 12:30 PM ET. The game will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+ and locally on MSG-B channel number 635-1 or BSSUN channel number 653 depending on your location.