Game Preview: Blackhawks @ Sabres

After a 6-5 loss at home to the high powered Oilers, the Chicago Blackhawks will go on the road Saturday night. Sharing identical marks at 4-3 as well as Thursday loses, the Hawks will take on the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres have had one of the easier schedules in the NHL so far playing 5 of their first 8 matches against teams that didn't make the playoffs last season. It will be exciting for Hawks fans to see 2021 #1 overall selection D Owen Power. Power played 2 collegiate seasons in nearby Michigan after playing his draft -1 and -2 years in the USHL with the local Chicago Steel.

While Chicago fans may have their eye on Power it is worth noting that 2018 #1 overall pick D Rasmus Dahlin is the player making the most noise thus far. Dahlin has impressive stats in Buffalo's first 7 games racking up 5 goals and 4 assists. He is a plus 7 while on the ice 23 to 27 minutes every game. Those are impressive numbers for the young 22 year old defenseman.

Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson form an imposing duo from the forward group. Tuch checks in at 6'4 and 219lbs which almost seems tiny standing next to Thompson's 6'6 220lb frame. Both players are skilled and are tough to defend when they are in possession of the puck. I'm going to be watching Seth Jones vs. Alex Tuch tonight as a key matchup that should determine the game.

For the Blackhawks, as eluded to in my last game review, Max Domi and Patrick Kane will look to continue their recent streaks. Max Domi has registered a point in 4 straight while Kane has had 3 straight multi-point outings. The Blackhawks will be home for 3 straight matchups after this road test.