The Buffalo Sabres did not get the kind of news they need for the final 10 games to be anything more than playing out the string on a disappointing regular season on Tuesday, as four of the five teams they are pursuing in the Eastern Conference playoff race earned points.
The game between the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings went to overtime, courtesy of a late Patrick Kane goal, with the Capitals winning 4-3 on Dylan Strome’s 25th of the season.
Philadelphia got a point in their 6-5 overtime loss to the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and New Jersey won 6-3 on the road in Toronto.
The Sabres are eight points behind the Capitals for the last playoff spot, as they open a five-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators at Key Bank Center on Wednesday.
Buffalo has 10 games remaining and will likely have to win all of them, including head-to-head matchups against the Capitals (twice), the Devils, the Flyers, and on the road against the Wings.
Buffalo will be getting winger Jack Quinn back in the lineup against the Sens. The Ottawa native participated in practice on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury in San Jose on January 27th, and he will line up with center Dylan Cozens and winger J-J Peterka.
“(Jack’s) effective in any situation because he’s an intelligent player. He is one of our smartest players, has a feel for the game, for situations, for depth and reads, and everything that comes with it.
He’s got a lot of hockey sense,” Sabres head coach Don Granato said after an optional morning skate on Wednesday. “As far as how we’ll use him tonight, it’s always gauged in-game.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will get the start for the Sabres against Ottawa. Granato did not commit to what he would do in goal with home games against the Devils and Maple Leafs on Friday and Saturday.
Rookie Devon Levi has remained on the roster and could be an option in the second of back-to-back games, but with no travel and Luukkonen playing so well, it is possible that he could start both games.