Sam Reinhart Drew Doughty

KINGS (14-11-2) at SABRES (10-11-6)
7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, FS-W, NHL.TV

Kings team scope

The Los Angeles Kings open a nine-game road trip Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, and are looking to win their first game in Buffalo since a 4-1 win on Feb. 23, 2003. The Sabres are 7-0-0 against the Kings at home during that span. "Obviously coming here, you want to win," said Kings captain Anze Kopitar, who needs two points to reach 700 in his NHL career. "I guess it's one of those buildings where wins are a little tougher to come by, but we'll try and change that tonight." The Kings are 4-7-1 on the road this season, but have scored four goals six times in their past 10 games. "We're still trying to do the same things we've been talking about since Day One here," said defenseman Drew Doughty, who has two goals and two assists in a three-game point streak. "That's get more shots, more bodies in front, make simple plays. I don't know what the difference was getting all those goals, but we're just trying to get pucks to the net and they've been going in and we need to continue to do that." Goaltender Peter Budaj will start; he's 9-4-2 in his past 16 starts, and has held opponents to two goals or fewer in 12 of those 16.

Sabres team scope

Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo will be a game-time decision because of illness. Okposo didn't skate on Monday, but took part in Buffalo's optional skate Tuesday. "Yesterday was a tough day, but it happens to everybody," Okposo said. "You've got to deal with it, but I feel better today, though." If Okposo plays, he'll do so on a new line; he has practiced with Evander Kane and Jack Eichel in recent days. Okposo switched spots with Sam Reinhart, who has skated with Ryan O'Reilly and William Carrier during practice. "You do some different things," Okposo said. "Anytime you play with a different center it's a bit of an adjustment … I've been watching Jack's game and hopefully get to know his tendencies a little bit and I think to start out we've got to just rely on our brains and the way that we think the game, and we just have to let that take over and let that chemistry form naturally." Center Derek Grant missed the last game against the Washington Capitals with an illness and also will be a game-time decision. Goaltender Robin Lehner will start. He has no wins in his past four starts, despite allowing nine goals.

Kings projected lineup
Sabres projected lineup

Evander Kane -- Jack Eichel -- Kyle Okposo
William Carrier -- Ryan O'Reilly -- Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno -- Johan Larsson -- Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers -- Zemgus Girgensons -- Matt Moulson
Jake McCabe -- Rasmus Ristolainen
Dmitry Kulikov -- Cody Franson
Josh Gorges -- Justin Falk
Robin Lehner
Anders Nilsson
Scratched:none
Injured:Derek Grant (illness), Taylor Fedun (shoulder), Tyler Ennis (groin), Zach Bogosian (MCL sprain), Cody McCormick (blood clots)

Status report

Bogosian skated with the Sabres on Tuesday, and is working to return from a MCL sprain he sustained during a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3.

Who's hot

Ristolainen has five points (one goal, four assists) in a three-game point streak. … O'Reilly has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past six games.