Bailey to skate alongside Eichel, Okposo against Arizona

Justin Bailey was pleased with the way he utilized his speed and size over his past two games, the majority of which were spent playing on a line with former Rochester teammates Evan Rodrigues and Nicholas Baptiste. Phil Housley is hoping that Bailey's skillset makes him a good fit elsewhere in the lineup, too.
Bailey will skate on a line with Jack Eichel and Kyle Okposo when the Buffalo Sabres host the Arizona Coyotes at KeyBank Center on Wednesday night.
"We're going to put guys in different positions like we said all along, just give them opportunities, see how they react and evaluate guys down the stretch here," Housley said. "This is an opportunity for Justin to use his speed and try to create some chemistry. He can't get away from his work ethic and that part of the game."

Eichel appeared to be in top form against Nashville on Monday, his second game back from a high-ankle sprain. His speed was evident on the rush, and at one point he carried the puck end-to-end and flashed by Predators defenseman P.K. Subban on his way to the net. He finished the night with a game-high 11 shot attempts.
"Jack's playing a really strong game right now, especially coming out of our zone, he's pushing the pace," Housley said. "It's good to have somebody who has speed who can play with him and just try to create that give-and-go game.
"I think that's one of the things we're working on with Justin, is just making those short plays, giving it and taking off and using his speed to create separation."
Bailey has scored four points (3+1) in 11 games for Buffalo during a season that's been interrupted by multiple injuries, including a high-ankle sprain of his own. After playing eight games with the Sabres in October, he admitted to wondering whether he'd make it back to Buffalo by season's end.
He got his chance against Vegas on March 10, and he hasn't looked back.
"I think some of the things I've been doing the last couple games I just need to continue to do," Bailey said. "Jack's a player who's one of the best in this game with having the puck on his stick. The more I can get him the puck, whether it's on the forecheck or getting over D and causing turnovers, that's just what I'm going to do."
The Sabres will be without Zemgus Girgensons, who is day-to-day, for the second-straight game. Robin Lehner is also day-to-day with an undisclosed injury but was a full participant at the team's morning skate. Chad Johnson, owner of a 4-1-0 record in his last five games, will get the start in net.
Buffalo trails Arizona by one point at the bottom of the league standings, but both teams have shown improved play as of late. The Sabres are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games; the Coyotes are 3-2-0.

"I think we're playing a brand of hockey that we envisioned early on," Housley said. "Certainly, there's a lot of areas of improvement that we've got to continue to improve on, and that's getting to the net and getting to the dirty area, our zone-one chances - we'd like to see that increase - and our shot mentality.
"But we're going to continue to hammer that message. For right now, I think for all the lineup changes and the guys who have been banged up and been out, the guys have done a good job of really making that commitment."
The Coyotes are led in scoring by Clayton Keller, who ranks fourth among rookies with 53 points (20+33). Forward Dylan Strome, who was drafted one spot behind Eichel at third overall in 2015, has been recalled and will be in the lineup for what will be his 19th NHL game.
Coverage on MSG-B begins at 6:30 p.m. with the GMC Game Night Pregame Show, or you can listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is scheduled for 7.

Projected lineup

20 Scott Wilson - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 23 Sam Reinhart
95 Justin Bailey - 15 Jack Eichel - 21 Kyle Okposo
17 Jordan Nolan - 71 Evan Rodrigues - 13 Nicholas Baptiste
67 Benoit Pouliot - 22 Johan Larsson - 29 Jason Pominville
6 Marco Scandella - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
45 Brendan Guhle - 41 Justin Falk
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 8 Casey Nelson
31 Chad Johnson
35 Linus Ullmark