Ullmark in net against Columbus as Sabres go for 4 in a row

COLUMBUS -Linus Ullmark has played the Columbus Blue Jackets just once before. It was his first game with the Buffalo Sabres last season back on Jan. 11 at KeyBank Center. The result? A 44-save effort in a 3-1 victory.
The Sabres hope for a repeat performance tonight as Ullmark will be between the pipes when Buffalo takes on the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

Ullmark is 2-0-0 this season with just one goal allowed. He has a 0.50 goals-against average and a .982 save percentage. His last start came one week ago against the Kings.
"Linus has played outstanding for us, just looking at his numbers," coach Phil Housley said. "We knew we had to get Linus back in. That's why he's playing tonight. But this is going to be a tough challenge for him."
Housley has noticed improvements in Ullmark's game this season as compared to what he saw from the 25-year-old netminder in five appearances last year.
"He has a better calming influence when he's in the net. He's very square to the puck, he's not fighting things," Housley said. "He's letting the puck hit him and he's been really good challenging - in the moments there, he'll get out and challenge the shooter. All of those things and his puck-handling ability have really helped our defense out."

Ullmark's last start against Columbus snapped a five-game winless streak for the Sabres, but the circumstances are different this time around.
Tonight, the Sabres are looking for their fourth win in a row, their first four-game winning streak since Dec. 9 to 15, 2014. Buffalo last won four straight games in regulation from March 19 to 27, 2012 during a five-game winning streak.
The Sabres capped off their Pacific Division road trip last weekend with convincing back-to-back wins over Los Angeles and Anaheim. They followed that up with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Montreal on Thursday, where Kyle Okposo scored the winner with 1:01 left to play.
They've been able to roll four lines and three consistent defensive pairings in those wins.
"I think we're starting to develop a bit of an identity. It's important to be able to do that as a team," captain Jack Eichel said. "That's the way you play every night so I think that we're starting to figure out what's made us successful. If we do it consistently - more times than not - we could have success."
Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The GMC Game Night pregame show starts at 6:30 on MSG. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the call on MSG and WGR 550 when the puck drops.

Lineup to be game-time decision

Eichel was one of several players who took part in an optional morning skate. He said he'll be good to go against Columbus.
Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Conor Sheary were given maintenance days Friday and did not partake in practice. Housley said Saturday morning that he expects all three to be ready for the game, but will wait until warmups to make a final decision.
Forwards Remi Elie and Tage Thompson have been healthy scratches and have been waiting patiently for their next opportunity to get back into the lineup.
For the Blue Jackets, backup Joonas Korpisalo will make another start in net. He made 33 saves in Columbus' 7-4 win over St. Louis on Thursday so coach John Tortorella is rolling with the same lineup for the game against Buffalo. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 12 points (3+9) and defenseman Zach Werenski is on a four-game point streak (1+4).