The San Jose Sharks opened the season with back-to-back shutouts, but since then have allowed 25 goals in six games.
The Sharks have also lost their previous three games.
“You give up five, you are not winning,” Todd McLellan said. “Our defensive play right now is killing us.”
Enter the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres (1-7-0) rank last in goals per game (1) and goals against per game (3.5). Buffalo’s power play is tied with both Minnesota and Winnipeg for last in the league. Their penalty kill is 13th.
“I think we’ve got enough guys in here that have played a lot of hockey games and we’re just frustrated,” said Sabres head coach Ted Nolan said. “Whether or not we’re doing the right things and playing well, at the end of the day if we’re not getting two points then we didn’t do the right things. Again, we’re frustrated.”
If history is any indicator, Saturday’s afternoon tilt will be no cake walk for the Sharks.
Buffalo has won three straight match-ups in San Jose and is 8-1-0 overall against the Sharks since 2007-08.
Jhonas Enroth (1-5-0) is expected to be Buffalo’s starter while Alex Stalock (1-1-1) gets the nod for the Sharks.