Eichel returned to Buffalo in March, a nationally televised 3-1 win for the Sabres in which both Krebs and Tuch scored in front of one of KeyBank Center's most raucous crowds of last season.
"We have to play," Granato said. "It's just another game. And if we don't take care of it like we didn't take care of the other night (against Arizona), your outcome is not going to be favorable."
Tonight's game will also be nationally televised, streaming exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu beginning at 7 p.m. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the radio call on WGR 550.
Here are five things to know.
Here is the projected lineup based on Wednesday's practice, with Eric Comrie expected to start in goal.
| November 10 vs. Vegas (projected) |
| --- |
| LW | C | RW |
| 53 Jeff Skinner | 72 Tage Thompson | 29 Vinnie Hinostroza |
| 77 JJ Peterka | 24 Dylan Cozens | 89 Alex Tuch |
| 74 Rasmus Asplund | 37 Casey Mittelstadt | 71 Victor Olofsson |
| 28 Zemgus Girgensons | 19 Peyton Krebs | 21 Kyle Okposo |
| | | |
| LD | RD | G |
| 78 Jacob Bryson | 26 Rasmus Dahlin | 31 Eric Comrie |
| 20 Lawrence Pilut | 25 Owen Power | 41 Craig Anderson |
| 38 Kale Clague | 46 Ilya Lyubushkin | |
| | | |
The Sabres outshot the Coyotes 33-25 on Monday but lost, 4-1. Their focus in the days since has been on getting back to playing aggressively, which Granato said will lead to more chances around the net.
"I don't think there was anyone in that locker room who didn't look in the mirror, or needed me to go after them harder than normal," he said. "So. I would expect our response to be good tonight. Play with much more energy and passion. We just looked flat the other night. And I think that will change."
Video: PREGAME: Granato
Tuch joined the Sabres on November 4, 2021, fulfilling a lifelong dream for the Syracuse native who grew up rooting for Ryan Miller, Tim Connolly, and the great Buffalo teams of the mid-2000s.
"Super excited from day one, I think it's helped me on and off the ice as well," Tuch said Wednesday. "I think there's been a little bit more opportunity here for me and a little bit of a different look than I had in Vegas."
Watch Tuch's full session with the media below.
Video: AFTER PRACTICE: Tuch
Players who spoke after practice on Wednesday talked about embracing the challenge of facing the NHL's top team with the national spotlight on them - a situation the young Sabres fared well in last season.
In addition to winning against the Golden Knights last March, the Sabres beat the Maple Leafs in the nationally televised Heritage Classic in Hamilton later that month and twice won in front of large KeyBank Center crowds for games honoring Rick Jeanneret.
"We do get excited for a challenge," Tuch said. "I think every team does and it's the first-place team in the league right now, they're playing really well, and we're gonna have to have our A-game tomorrow."
Eichel leads the Golden Knights with nine assists and 15 points. Reilly Smith leads the team with seven goals.
Logan Thompson is expected to start in goal. He's 7-2-0 with a .930 save percentage.
