Game Preview | 5 things to know ahead of Sabres vs. Kraken

Kyle Okposo described the opportunity in front of the Buffalo Sabres, with a six-game homestand at KeyBank Center opening Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken.

“We know that the time is now,” the Sabres captain said. “And the guys in the room know it, you can feel it. It’s kind of time to put up or shut up, and I’m kind of excited to see how the guys respond.”

The Sabres will be seeking their third consecutive victory when they host the Kraken, coming on the heels of road wins in Montreal and Pittsburgh.

Pregame coverage on MSG/MSG+ begins at 6:30 p.m. with puck drop scheduled for 7.

Here are five things to know.

1. The lineup

Jordan Greenway and Victor Olofsson both participated in an optional morning skate after missing practice on Monday due to an illness. Greenway played each of the past two games despite the illness and will be in the lineup against the Kraken. Olofsson will not play and is considered day to day.

Okposo (lower body) also participated in the morning skate after returning to practice on Monday but will miss a third straight game.

2. In the crease

The Sabres will stick with their rotation in goal, turning to Devon Levi following Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s 40-save victory in Pittsburgh. Levi made 32 saves to win the previous game in Montreal.

3. The homestand

Sabres coach Don Granato stressed the importance of the team approaching its schedule one game at a time following practice on Monday, a point he reiterated Tuesday morning.

“To be at home is nice for many, many reasons,” Granato said. “But for us, we absolutely have to stay in the moment and not get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s a homestand the way it looks on the calendar, but it’s tonight and that’s the only thing we need to worry about.”

4. Streaks to watch

Tage Thompson enters Tuesday on a four-game point streak, with three goals and three assists during that span. Thompson earned an assist on Alex Tuch’s goal to open the scoring against the Penguins.

Rasmus Dahlin has goals in each of the past two games. He leads NHL defensemen with 12 goals this season.

5. Scouting the Kraken

The Kraken enter Tuesday on a 10-game point streak at 8-0-2, having allowed just 13 goals during that stretch. Goaltender Joey Daccord has posted a .958 save percentage and two shutouts in his last nine starts.

“They have lots of talent, lots of very talented, competitive people over there in depth,” Granato said. “Probably more depth than any other team in regard to that. They can roll four lines that are very deep, very capable of playing (with) grind and compete and skill as well.”

Vince Dunn leads the Kraken in assists (26) and points (33). The defenseman enters Tuesday on a five-game point streak.