After dropping Friday's game against the Bruins, the Coyotes wrap up their back-to-back set of home games with a Saturday night (Jan. 29) clash with the Sabres. It's the second and final time the teams are scheduled to play each other this year, and the first meeting since the Coyotes' second game of the season. Puck drop against the Sabres is set for 7 p.m.
PACK FACTS
Saturday is the first time Arizona will play Buffalo at Gila River Arena since Feb. 29, 2020 (5-2 W). After sweeping the season-series in 2019-20 and falling 2-1 in shootout on Oct. 16, the Coyotes have a chance to extend their point streak against the Sabres to four games.
Phil Kessel has played 66 games against the Sabres, his highest total against any NHL franchise. His 24 career goals and assists pace current Coyotes in both categories, and has not personally lost in regulation to the Sabres since April 1, 2015 while playing for Toronto.
Goaltender Karel Vejmelka made his NHL debut against the Sabres on Oct. 16 and stopped 32-of-33 shots in regulation and overtime. The 32 saves tied Marc Behrend (Feb. 27, 1984) for the fourth-highest total in an NHL debut in franchise history. In four games against Atlantic Division opponents this season, Vejmelka has compiled a 2-1-1 record with a .948 SV% and 1.87 GAA.
Nick Schmaltz scored for the second consecutive game last night (Jan. 28) to establish a three-game point streak, while Shayne Gostisbehere and Clayton Keller contributed the assists to establish three-game point streaks of their own. It's Keller and Gostisbehere's fourth and third point streaks of at least three games this season, respectively.
The Coyotes franchise is 27-46-7-3 all-time against the Sabres, but have at least a point in each of the last three meetings.
A LOOK AT THE SABRES
Buffalo (13-22-7, 33 pts) will play in its first game since Tuesday (Jan. 25) and is looking to avenge a 5-0 loss to Ottawa on that night. Phoenix-born Tage Thompson shares the team-lead with 28 points (14-14-28), while defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who Thompson shares the lead-lead with, is tied for 14th in the NHL in points by defensemen. The Sabres are averaging 3.0 goals per game in their last five games despite being shutout last time out.
MILESTONES TO WATCH
Christian Fischer: One game from 300 career NHL games.
Phil Kessel: One multi-assist game from 100 career NHL multi-assist games.
Andrew Ladd: One even-strength goal from 200 career NHL even-strength goals.
Anton Stralman: One even-strength point from 200 career NHL even-strength points.
KEY CONNECTIONS
Ex-Coyotes
• Kevyn Adams (2006-07)
• Drake Caggiula (2020-21)
• John Hayden (2020-21)
• Vinnie Hinostroza (2018-20)
Ex-Sabres
• Phil Housley (Player, 1982-90; Head Coach, 2017-19)
• Carter Hutton (2018-21)
• Johan Larsson (2013-20)
Ryan Dzingel was teammates with Craig Anderson in Ottawa from 2015-19.
Loui Eriksson played with Cody Eakin in Dallas during the 2012-13 campaign.
Shayne Gostisbehere was teammates with Robert Hagg in Philadelphia from 2016-21.
Christian Fischer was a member of the USNTDP with Tage Thompson in 2014-15…Played for Don Granato at the USNTDP (2013-15).
Clayton Keller played with Casey Mittelstadt at the USNTDP (2015-16)…Represented Team USA with Anders Bjork and Tage Thompson at the 2017 World Championship.
Antoine Roussel played with Cody Eakin in Dallas from 2012-17.
Nick Schmaltz was teammates with Anders Bjork for Team USA at the 2016 WJC and 2017 World Championship…Represented Team USA with Will Butcher at the 2015 WJC…Played with John Hayden in Chicago over parts of the 2016-19 seasons and Henri Jokiharju for part of the 2018-19 season…Had Don Granato as an assistant coach in Chicago (2017-19).
Anton Stralman skated with Mark Pysyk for the Florida Panthers during the 2019-20 season.
André Tourigny was an assistant coach with the 2015-16 Ottawa Senators club that Craig Anderson was on.
