Buffalo @ Anaheim preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 22, 2018 ) Anaheim 0, Buffalo 3

The Buffalo Sabres have yet to lose in regulation and are off to their best start since earning points in eight consecutive games to start their 2008-09 season. Winners of three in a row, the Atlantic Division-leading Sabres will face a difficult task to keep their streak alive when they open a three-game California road trip at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.

Buffalo had gone beyond regulation in three straight contests before wrapping up a perfect three-game homestand with a 4-0 victory over Dallas on Monday. "Any time you get off to a good start and get results, confidence naturally comes with that," forward Jeff Skinner said. "Being able to get off to a good start results-wise is nice. Now we have to keep the momentum going." The Ducks allowed six goals in their five games before ending a four-game road trip with a 4-2 loss at Boston, but first-year coach Dallas Eakins liked what he saw from his team. “I thought it was the best game we’ve played five-on-five,” Eakins said. "I was proud of the way we competed. That was a great measuring stick for us."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN-Plus, MSG-Buffalo, Prime Ticket (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE SABRES (5-0-1): Rookie forward Victor Olofsson established an NHL record in Monday's win over Dallas, becoming the first player to score each of his first seven career goals on the power play. "It's obviously fun to have some kind of record," said Olofsson, who has earned the nickname "Goal-ofsson" in Buffalo. "I want to get that five-on-five goal." The Sabres finished in the middle of the pack on the power play last season with a success rate of 19.5 percent but, buoyed by Olofsson, they are converting a league-leading 42.9 percent.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (4-2-0): While Buffalo is thriving with the man advantage, Anaheim has yet to convert with the extra skater, failing on all 14 power-play chances. In an effort to bring an end to that drought, Eakins had his players firing off rapid shots into an empty net at Tuesday's practice session. "We'll trying anything right now," Eakins said. “I definitely think there’s a lot of room for improvement on our power play. In saying that, I think we could easily have two or three goals on it right now and it wouldn’t be a big deal right now."

OVERTIME

1. Ducks C Adam Henrique had a goal and an assist Monday and has 20 points in 23 games versus Buffalo.

2. Sabres captain Jack Eichel, who has three goals and six assists, had eight points in eight games versus Anaheim.

3. Ducks D Brendan Guhle did not practice Tuesday due to a lower-body injury.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Sabres 2