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The biggest news of the day is the fact that Jordan Leopold will be watching the game from the press box as a healthy scratch. According to WGR's Paul Hamilton, that is the first time Leopold has been taken out of the lineup since he signed as a free agent. Leopold's lapse on the Penguins' third goal on Sunday is one that the defenseman called an "easy read" and one that he puts totally on himself. That play may be the catalyst for Leopold watching the game from up high.
In his place, T.J. Brennan has been inserted in to the lineup in a fairly large role. Noted for his work on the power play in Rochester, Brennan took his place along the blue line with the Sabres' top PP unit during the morning skate.
Buffalo finally capitalized on their first power play opportunity in the month of February on Sunday. That is their lone conversion in 32 total chances with a man advantage in the second month of the season.
They'll be up against a Winnipeg Jets team that rank dead last in killing penalties. Although they're among the NHL's top-ten in least penalty minutes accrued per game, Winnipeg have allowed opponents to score on 15-of-44 total chances in 2013. That equals a PK rate of just 65.9-percent on the season.
There is an additional change to the top PP unit. Marcus Foligno will be a part of that group as a forward. Thomas Vanek and Tyler Ennis are the other forwards, while Jason Pominville continues on the unit along the blue line.
Drew Stafford has only one goal this season, and will conceivably lose some ice time against Winnipeg. In the morning skate, Stafford was on the right wing of the fourth line, centered by Cody McCormick. John Scott was on the left side.
That gap on the right wing of the team's second line is likely filled by Pat Kaleta. He was skating with Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno on Tuesday morning. Ryan Miller will get the start in net yet again. He is 6-7-1 in 2013, allowing 2.91 goals per game on a .914 save percentage.
The healthy scratches for the Sabres are likely to be Leopold, Andrej Sekera and Mikhail Grigorenko.
Winnipeg is coming off a three-game homestand that saw them lose all three. Their last road game, February 9 at Ottawa, resulted in a 1-0 win for the Jets. Winnipeg is tied for the worst point total in the Eastern Conference (11), and sit below the Sabres in 14th place.
Pregame coverage of the game starts tonight on WGR Sports Radio 550 at 6 pm with Schopp and the Bulldog. You'll hear from head coach Lindy Ruff, defenseman T.J. Brennan, winger Drew Stafford and the benched Jordan Leopold.
The healthy scratches for the Sabres are likely to be Leopold, Andrej Sekera and Mikhail Grigorenko.
Winnipeg is coming off a three-game homestand that saw them lose all three. Their last road game, February 9 at Ottawa, resulted in a 1-0 win for the Jets. Winnipeg is tied for the worst point total in the Eastern Conference (11), and sit below the Sabres in 14th place.
Pregame coverage of the game starts tonight on WGR Sports Radio 550 at 6 pm with Schopp and the Bulldog. You'll hear from head coach Lindy Ruff, defenseman T.J. Brennan, winger Drew Stafford and the benched Jordan Leopold.