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

Devon Levi waited patiently through his immigration process, studying his Buffalo Sabres teammates from the stands and the press box even though he could not join them on the ice.
"How I was thinking about it was, you can't keep the beast tamed in the cage for too long," Levi said. "So, it's just a matter of time, getting out and being hungry."
The time came on Friday. Levi joined the Sabres for an optional morning skate, his first full session with the team since he signed a three-year, entry-level contract exactly one week ago.

The 21-year-old netminder will ease into his transition, with more skates to come before the Sabres consider placing him in goal for his NHL debut.
"He'll have skates first, morning skates and some optional skates and we'll see how he feels from that," coach Don Granato said. "So, a lot of dialogue going back and forth between us and him the next couple days."
In the meantime, the Sabres open a back-to-back set of games tonight at home against the New Jersey Devils. Tickets are available here.
Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. The puck drops at 7 on MSG and WGR 550.
Here are five things to know.

1. The lineup

The Sabres held an optional morning skate and did not run line rushes. Granato said there will be a lineup change on defense that will be revealed during warmups.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practiced in the starter's crease and is expected to start in goal.

2. Levi's transition

Levi spent Monday, his first practice day with the Sabres, watching from the stands. He sat directly behind the net where Craig Anderson was practicing, an attempt to see drills from the 41-year-old veteran's vantage point.
"Sitting behind him gives me an opportunity to see the game from his point of view, what he sees, what reads he's making," Levi said. "Just learning little things off of him."
That decision is a microcosm of how Levi spent his first week with Buffalo. He was introduced to the off-ice intricacies of the NHL - arrival times, meal schedules, and practice schedules among them. He carried a notebook to the press box to watch Tuesday's game against Nashville, dissecting the role of the goaltender in the Sabres' system while also keeping an eye on Predators star Juuse Saros. He leaned on off-ice techniques - visualization and mediation among them - to stay sharp mentally.
"I think being off the ice (away) from the guys just gave me the opportunity to learn the off-ice and the living and how to be a pro," he said. "… Now it's finally time to go on the ice."

3. Gaining experience

The Sabres are coming off a 7-3 loss to the Predators, after which both Tage Thompson and Don Granato expressed confidence that the team will be better for the experience gained during their recent slump.
The Sabres opened the month three points out of a playoff spot but have gone 2-7-2 since. Granato reiterated this morning how the players' desire to make the postseason has led to self-inflicted pressure, a learning experience for the NHL's youngest roster.
"It blocks focus," Granato said. "It blocks focus to even simple stuff. So, obviously you're working to bring guys back into a rhythm, back into the zone where they're feeling good about their game. … It's a huge growth situation. And I think we're pushing through it the right way."

4. Scouting the Devils

New Jersey can clinch a playoff spot with a victory tonight and sits two points behind Carolina for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Devils are 1-2-2 in their last five games, including an overtime loss to the Wild in their most recent game on Tuesday. Timo Meier scored in the loss, his fourth goal since being acquired from the Sharks ahead of the trade deadline.
Jack Hughes leads New Jersey in goals (37) and points (81).

5. Military Appreciation

The Sabres are hosting Military Appreciation Night at KeyBank Center, with tributes planned throughout the game honoring active and retired military personnel.
Find more information on the night here.