Buffalo @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2019 ) Buffalo 7, Detroit 1

Just 24 hours after suffering their second regulation loss of the season, the Buffalo Sabres attempt to release their frustrations when they visit the struggling Detroit Red Wings on Friday. Buffalo had won three straight and earned points in nine of its first 10 contests before being routed 6-2 by the Rangers in New York on Thursday.

Carter Hutton surrendered all six goals on just 24 shots as he was tagged with his first loss of 2019-20 after winning his first six starts. The 33-year-old goaltender has given up nine goals in his last two outings after turning aside a total of 72 shots in back-to-back shutouts over Dallas and Los Angeles. Detroit, which is kicking off a three-game homestand but has lost three straight at Little Caesars Arena, is in the midst of a six-game losing streak after dropping a 5-2 decision in Ottawa on Wednesday. The Red Wings have been outscored 27-9 during the slide, allowing five goals in five of the losses while scoring fewer than three in each setback.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (Buffalo), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE SABRES (8-2-1): Vladimir Sobotka finally broke through on Thursday, scoring his first goal in 19 contests dating back to last season after recording just one assist in his first 10 games of 2019-20. Defenseman Marco Scandella is off to a fast start offensively with two tallies in 11 contests after registering only six in 63 games last campaign. Captain Jack Eichel, who leads the team with 14 points, posted a pair of four-point performances this season but has been kept off the scoresheet in three of his last four games.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (3-7-0): Detroit lost more than a game on Wednesday as Luke Glendening exited in the second period with an upper-body injury and will "definitely miss some time," according to coach Jeff Blashill. The 30-year-old center, who was skating in his 450th NHL contest, has gone six games without a point after recording two goals and an assist over his first four this season. Anthony Mantha leads the club with seven tallies but has netted only one in his last six contests.

OVERTIME

1. Sabres LW Marcus Johansson, who has notched eight points in 11 contests, is expected to skate in his 600th NHL game on Friday while D Rasmus Ristolainen is one point shy of 200 for his career.

2. Detroit LW Tyler Bertuzzi is riding a three-game point streak and has landed on the scoresheet in seven of his 10 contests this season.

3. Buffalo has scored first in eight of its first 11 games, going 7-1-0 in those contests.

PREDICTION: Sabres 5, Red Wings 3