^{After a day home, Utah heads to Buffalo for the first game of a back to back}

Being home for one whole game was a great way for Utah to get into a rhythm. The schedule makers were extremely gracious to give the team a travel day home, to just turn around to travel again the next night with only one game to show for it. Oh, and Utah’s about to face the first of two back to back games over the next 4, while effectively dealing with a 9 game travel schedule. Not pleasant.

Utah looks to break a 2 game skid after falling to the Oilers a week ago and Tampa Bay on Sunday. Tonight, the Mammoth take on fellow herbivorous team, the Buffalo Sabres (yes, the team is named after the swords). Buffalo will be an interesting game for three players specifically – the homecoming for JJ Peterka, and old friends turned enemies reunite after a significant trade in the offseason. Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan welcome us to Key Bank Center, located in The Heart of Unadulterated Sadness ^tm, New York.

Noting that trade, both sides seem to have been able to benefit. Currently, Josh Doan is thriving in his new role in Buffalo. He’s got 4 goals and 5 assists in his 12 games, on pace for a 60 point season, far eclipsing his previous season totals. His shots per game, shooting percentage and physicality have all ramped up with increased playing time under Lindsay Ruff. His counterpart, JJ Peterka is seeing similar results – 4 goals and 6 assists in that span. Peterka is on pace to match his point output from last year, even though he’s logging 2 fewer minutes per game but so far his playmaking is outstanding. Both Peterka and Doan have had positive influence on their respective lines, which is a win-win for both teams.

Michael Kesselring started the year out injured, so his time with Buffalo has been a bit more limited, but Kessel”king” jumped right in pulling 17ish minutes a night, similar to his time in an increase role with the Utah Hockey Club last year.

While both teams are beneficiaries of this trade, the Buffalo media and fans are definitely on the hate train when it comes to Peterka. Expect there to be a bit of animosity his way tonight.

Buffalo returned home on Saturday to play Washington to a shootout win, their fourth consecutive overtime game. After a rough 0-3-0 start that saw the team score only 2 goals, they’ve rebounded quite a bit, winning 5 of their last 9, and only losing once in regulation.

The Sabres have been remarkably consistent for their last 5 games, giving up 3 goals in each. A weakness heading into the offseason, the defense was shored up with a few moves – including the addition of Kesselring – and the perceived weakness giving up Peterka has been decently filled by Doan so far. As a result, Buffalo’s far better off this year than last, and is no longer a free 2 points for most of the league.

Buffalo’s goaltending situation is unexpectedly solid this year despite starting three goalies so far. Combined, the Sabres are posting a .908 save percentage and roughly 2.9 GAA. They average about 34 shots against per game, which is higher than what Utah is used to. The Mammoth may have a little bit of a hard time containing Buffalo, though, as they average over 32 shots a game, while Utah’s close to leading the league in giving up just over 24. It will be interesting to see if this is a high-shot volume affair.

Buffalo has a few notable injuries in the past few days, so look for that to potentially swing things slightly in Utah’s favor.

Key points to secure a victory today:

Don’t fall prey to bad penalties Buffalo isn’t scoring at an alarming rate on the power play, at just 19%, but their penalty kill is best in the league at over 90% kill rate. They can also score short handed (2) – something Utah is unable to do.

However, if matching penalties all game become an issue, Buffalo has a huge advantage over Utah. Buffalo’s power play is stronger than the Mammoth’s, and Utah’s suddenly faltering PK units would put Utah at a disadvantage when shorthanded.

Show up in the 2nd period. This is probably the most critical piece for Utah. Buffalo’s best in the second period, scoring the most and giving up the least in the middle frame. They’re +5 goal differential. Utah is the polar opposite; they’ve given up more goals in the 2nd period that either of the other 2, with a -5 goal differential. I said last game “you don’t have to win a period, just don’t lose it” and that’s going to be key tonight.

For reference, Utah is +7 and +4 in the first and third period respectively, with Buffalo -4 and even. Keep the second period even, the Mammoth can win the game in the early or late stages.

Recognize this as a trap game. No disrespect to any teams, but for years a few teams have been considered easy points. San Jose, Buffalo, and Chicago have been there for a while. Buffalo seems to have turned a corner this year and will not be the easy team they used to be perceived as.

The Mammoth face Toronto on Wednesday, and they’re still considered one of the best in the league. This is going to be a difficult game regardless, but as the second of a back to back the situation will be even worse.

Without other factors at play, this will be a tight match-up between the teams. Andre Tourigny needs to keep Team Tusk’s eyes on the prize. No looking ahead, play the 60 in front of you. Do not get caught in the trap.

Projected Lineup:

Game time 5 PM local.

TUSKS UP!