Game Preview | 5 things to know ahead of Sabres at Bruins

BOSTON - Riley Stillman could make his Sabres debut tonight against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, pending the completion of his immigration process.
The Sabres acquired Stillman from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for prospect Josh Bloom on Monday. Sabres coach Don Granato said Wednesday that he would have no hesitations about Stillman entering the lineup once he is cleared to play.
"It's one of those things where it's kind of out of our control," Stillman said after the Sabres held an optional skate on Thursday morning. "I'm just waiting to get an opportunity and trying to make the most of it when I do."
UPDATE (5 p.m.) -The Sabres have added Stillman to the active roster and he will likely make his debut with Buffalo tonight. Rasmus Dahlin, who has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury, has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to February 24.
Coverage tonight begins at 6:30 p.m. on MSG. The puck drops at 7 on MSG and WGR 550.
Here are five things to know.

1. The lineup

The Sabres held an optional skate and did not run line rushes. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the first goaltender off the ice and is expected to start.
Rasmus Dahlin did not make the trip to Boston and will miss a third straight game due to a lower-body injury. He skated on his own Wednesday and remains day to day. The Sabres are also without Alex Tuch, who is week to week with a lower-body injury.

2. The standings

The Sabres trail the Penguins by three points for the second Wild Card spot with one game in hand. The Islanders sit four points ahead of the Sabres in the first Wild Card spot but with five more games played.
Here is the full Wild Card picture entering tonight:
| Team | GP | Points | P% | Reg. W | ROW | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | WC1 - New York Islanders | 64 | 70 | .547 | 27 | 31 | | WC2 - Pittsburgh Penguins | 60 | 69 | .575 | 24 | 29 | | Buffalo Sabres | 59 | 66 | .559 | 23 | 30 | | Florida Panthers | 62 | 66 | .532 | 26 | 28 | | Washington Capitals | 63 | 66 | .524 | 23 | 29 | | Ottawa Senators | 60 | 64 | .533 | 23 | 28 | | Detroit Red Wings | 60 | 64 | .533 | 22 | 26 |
Games of interest on Thursday include:
• Nashville at Florida - 7 p.m.
• Ottawa at New York Rangers - 7 p.m.
• Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay - 7 p.m.
• Seattle at Detroit - 7 p.m.

3. Getting up to speed

Stillman discussed the acclimation process that has gone on in the two-plus days since he arrived in Buffalo.
"There's been a lot of video," Stillman said. "The coaches have very helpful in that sense of how our systems play, how our D-zone wants to play, all those things that play into it. We've done all the work behind the scenes right now and, like I said, it's just waiting for an opportunity."
Granato expressed confidence that Stillman's aggressive disposition on the ice, combined with the adrenaline of a new opportunity and his previous experience playing a similar system in Florida, will set him up for success when he does join the lineup.
"He's a pro," Granato said. "He's been through this. When we get him in the lineup, he's ready to go. Ninety-nine percent of what we need out of a player that comes in, he's got it."

4. Streaking!

Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner both extended their point streaks to seven games during the Sabres' loss to Columbus at home on Tuesday.
Thompson has six goals and five assists during his streak; Skinner has five goals and five assists.

5. Scouting the Bruins

Boston is without a pair of forwards in Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno, both of whom are out indefinitely due to injuries. The Bruins acquired forward Tyler Bertuzzi from the Red Wings this morning but have not announced whether he will join the team in time for tonight's game.
The Bruins also recently acquired forward Garnet Hathaway and defenseman Dmitry Orlov in a trade with the Washington Capitals. Orlov scored two goals in their most recent game, a 4-3 victory in Calgary on Tuesday.
Boston has the best record in the NHL at 47-8-5, including a 24-2-3 record at home. The Sabres handed the Bruins one of their five home losses in overtime on December 31.
"Puck management is the number one key to playing this team," Granato said. "… I would categorize them as one of if not the smartest team in the league. Turnovers are huge."