The last time the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres met in Buffalo, it was a wild ride. The Sabres scored four goals in the first period, leaving the Avalanche scrambling. Colorado clawed back and scored five unanswered goals for the win. This time around could be a little different. Colorado is coming off a loss, like last season, and looking to get back on track. The game is in October rather than December, and Buffalo has completely different goaltenders now. Buffalo has not won either of its games and needs something to help it get back on track. So, are we going to see another high-scoring affair? Or a defensive battle? We will see in this matinee battle in New York.

Colorado Avalanche (2–1–0)

The Avalanche are coming off of the most physical game they have played all season. There was still a lot to celebrate from the shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Gavin Brindley scored his first career NHL goal in just his fourth game in the league. He continues to lock down his position on the fourth line with some spectacular play. Martin Necas already has six points (3g/3a) in three games played. Necas is raising his contract value with every single game he plays. The power play unit is three of 15 and is showing signs of improvement against Dallas. They are snapping the puck around and building chemistry every time they get on the ice.

Projected Lines

Artturi Lehkonen β€” Nathan MacKinnon β€”Β Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog β€” Brock Nelson β€”Β Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton β€” Jack Drury β€” Victor Olofsson
Joel Kiviranta β€” Parker Kelly β€” Gavin Brindley

Devon Toews β€” Cale Makar
Josh Manson β€” Brent Burns
Ilya SolovyovΒ β€” Sam Malinski

Scott Wedgewood
Trent Miner

Buffalo Sabres (0–2–0)

The Sabres are off to a slow start this season. They have scored only one goal in two games. The goal, coming in a loss against the Boston Bruins, came off the stick of Jason Zucker. The young team continues to struggle to put things together. Only two players on the roster do not have a negative plus/minus. Over the summer, the Sabres traded away one of their most promising young talents in JJ Peterka for a pair of prospects. Former Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev landed a contract with the team but did not make it to game one. The team placed him on waivers and sent him to the AHL Rochester Americans, and he has not played yet.

Projected Lines

Jason Zucker β€” Jiri Kulich β€” Tage Thompson
Jack Quinn β€” Ryan McLeod β€” Alex Tuch
Justin Danforth β€” Peyton Krebs β€” Josh Doan
Beck Malenstyn β€” Tyson Kozak β€” Mason Geertsen

Bowen Byram β€” Rasmus Dahlin
Mattias Samuelsson β€” Conor Timmins
Jacob Bryson β€” Owen Power

Alex Lyon
Colten Ellis

Game Details

Time: 10:30 a.m. MT

Watch: Altitude Sports

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM