Former Erie Otters Michael Rupp and Nick Palmieri were involved in a trade between the NHL’s New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild.
According to reports Monday, the Rangers sent Rupp, 33, to the Wild for Palmieri, 23, and fellow forward Darroll Powe. Rupp had four goals, five points and 109 points in 68 games since joining the Rangers a season ago. He has 53 goals, 95 points and 765 penalty minutes in 565 games with the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets and Phoenix Coyotes from 2002-13.
Rupp, a Cleveland native, had 51 goals, 110 points and 293 penalty minutes in 137 games with the Otters from 1997-2000. Palmieri totaled 65 goals and 114 points in 174 games for the Otters from 2005-08 before being traded to Belleville. He was playing for the Houston Aeros, the Wild’s AHL affiliate, this season. He had 10 goals and 21 points in 40 games. He has 13 goals and 25 points in 87 career NHL games with New Jersey (2009-11) and Minnesota (2011-12). He reportedly will play with the Connecticut Whale, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.

Victor Fernandes makes his predictions for the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs:

Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 New York Rangers (51-24-7) vs. No. 8 Ottawa Senators (41-31-10)
* The Rangers don’t have enough offense to win the title this season. But they will come close.
Prediction: Rangers in 6 games
No. 2 Boston Bruins (49-29-4) vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals (42-32-8)
* With a healthy Nicklas Backstrom, the Capitals will nearly upset the defending champion.
Prediction: Bruins in 7 games
No. 3 Florida Panthers (38-26-18) vs. No. 6 New Jersey Devils (48-28-6)
* The Panthers’ first playoff appearance in 12 years will be short-lived.
Prediction: Devils in 6 games
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins (51-25-6) vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers (47-26-9)
* The winner of this hard-fought, in-state rivarly could limp into the second round.
Prediction: Penguins in 6 games

Semifinals
No. 1 N.Y. Rangers vs. No. 6 New Jersey
* Goaltending and defense will headline a battle between these longtime rivals.
Prediction: Rangers in 6 games
No. 2 BostonPittsburgh
* Even with G Tim Thomas and D Zdeno Chara, the Bruins won’t stop Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins.
Prediction: Penguins in 7 games

Finals
No. 1 N.Y. Rangers vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh
* The Penguins reached full strength late in regular season. That pays off in the playoffs.
Prediction: Penguins in 6 games

Western Conference
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Vancouver Canucks (51-22-9) vs. Los Angeles Kings (40-27-15)
* Much-maligned G Roberto Luongo will lead the way against the league’s second-worst offense.
Prediction: Canucks in 4 games
No. 2 St. Louis Blues (49-22-11) vs. No. 7 San Jose Sharks (43-20-10)
Defense wins championships – or in the Blues’ case, a first-round series.
Prediction: Blues in 5 games
No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes (42-27-13) vs. No. 6 Chicago Blackhawks (45-26-11)
The Blackhawks still have enough holdovers from their 2010 Cup title team.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 6 games
No. 4 Nashville Predators (48-26-8) vs. No. 5 Detroit Red Wings (48-28-6)
* The up-and-coming Predators break through the perennial Cup contender.
Prediction: Predators in 7 games

Semifinals
No. 1 Vancouver vs. No. 6 Chicago
* The Canucks reach the conference finals for the third straight year. But it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Canucks in 7 games
No. 2 St. Louis Blues vs. No. 4 Nashville
* G Pekka Rinne and the Predators end the Blues’ surprising season.
Prediction: Predators in 6 games

Finals
No. 1 Vancouver vs. No. No. 4 Nashville
* The Presidents Trophy-winning Canucks fall short of a second straight Cup final.
Prediction: Predators in 6 games

Stanley Cup Final
No. 4E Pittsburgh vs. No. 4W Nashville
* The league’s most dangerous offense leads the Penguins back to the top of the NHL.
Prediction: Penguins in 5 games

2012 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

SERIES A TIME (ET) #1 NY Rangers vs. #8 Ottawa Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NHL Network, CBC
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa CBC, CNBC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa CBC, CNBC
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD NY Rangers at Ottawa TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Ottawa at NY Rangers TBD

SERIES B TIME (ET) #2 Boston vs. #7 Washington Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC Sports Network, CBC
Saturday, April 14, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC, CBC
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Boston at Washington TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Washington at Boston TBD

SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Florida vs. #6 New Jersey Networks
Friday, April 13, 2012 7 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NHL Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NBC Sports Network, TSN
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey NHL Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey NHL Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 6:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NHL Network, TSN
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Florida at New Jersey TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Florida TBD

SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Philadelphia Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Pittsburgh at Philadelphia TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at Pittsburgh TBD

2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

SERIES E TIME (ET) #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Los Angeles Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver CBC, NBC Sports Network
Friday, April 13, 2012 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver CBC, NBC Sports Network
Sunday, April 15, 2012 10:30 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, CBC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Vancouver at Los Angeles TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver TBD

SERIES F TIME (ET) #2 St. Louis vs. #7 San Jose Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Monday, April 16, 2012 10 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC Sports Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 10:30 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD St. Louis at San Jose TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD San Jose at St. Louis TBD

SERIES G TIME (ET) #3 Phoenix vs. #6 Chicago Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 9 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago CNBC, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 8 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago CNBC, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD Phoenix at Chicago TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Chicago at Phoenix TBD

SERIES H TIME (ET) #4 Nashville vs. #5 Detroit Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
Sunday, April 15, 2012 Noon Nashville at Detroit NBC, CBC
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:30 p.m. Nashville at Detroit NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Friday, April 20, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Nashville at Detroit TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Detroit at Nashville TBD

* if necessary
TBD – To Be Determined

- From NHL news release

What: Erie Otters (0-0-0-0) at Brampton Battalion (0-0-0-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Powerade Centre – Brampton, Ontario

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Mike Cazzola (Contributed/Erie Otters)

Players to watch

Erie – C Mike Cazzola (36 goals, 50 assists, 86 points in 2009-10), RW Anthony Luciani (38-30-68), RW Shawn Szydlowski (21-27-48), G Ramis Sadikov (9-10-1-2 record, 4.02 goals-against average, .890 save percentage, D Mitch Gaulton (5-26-31)

Brampton – LW Sean Jones (32-17-49), C Sam Carrick (21-21-42), RW Scott Tanski (15-19-34), RW Philip Lane (18-14-32), D Cameron Wind (3-8-11, +7)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters have a 9-4-1 all-time record in season openers. They began last season with a 4-3 win in Sudbury, which snapped a two-game, season-opening skid. … They have played every season opener in franchise history on the road. … The Otters begin the regular season without F Greg McKegg (37-48-85) and David Shields (7-12-19, plus-10 rating), who remain at NHL training camps with the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues, respectively. McKegg survived the Maple Leafs’ first round of cuts. … D Tyler Hostetter (2-24-26) returned from Philadelphia Flyers camp on Wednesday. … Sadikov is expected to start tonight in net. … Rookie C Connor Crisp won’t play this weekend because of an undisclosed injury. … Rookie C/LW Chris Marchese makes his OHL debut in front of 80-90 family members and friends, who are traveling from his hometown in nearby Woodbridge, Ontario. He will play center on a line with Szydlowski and LW David Broll (9-9-18). … The Otters and Battalion meet in a

Sean Jones (Contributed/Brampton Battalion)

season opener for the first time. … Coach Robbie Ftorek planned to announce his captains today.

Brampton – Jones, a former Otter, enters his overage season after being one of the OHL’s top goal scorers in 2009-10, his first season in Brampton. … The Battalion scored a league-low 167 goals last season. But the club’s 181 goals against ranked second to Mississauga St. Michael’s (175). … The Battalion reached the second round of the 2009-10 Eastern Conference playoffs despite finishing the regular season with a losing record (25-29-7-7). … Tanski and LW Stephon Thorne (Columbus Blue Jackets), Lane (Phoenix Coyotes), LW Alex O’Neil (New York Islanders) and C Jonathan Johansson (Atlanta Thrashers) returned from NHL camps late last week.

Up next: vs. Saginaw (Saturday, 7 p.m.), at Niagara (Thursday, 7 p.m.)

LAS VEGAS (June 23) — Washington Capitals left wing Alex
Ovechkin, who becomes the first player in National Hockey League history
voted a First Team All-Star in each of his first five seasons, highlights
the players named to the league’s First and Second All-Star Teams for
2009-10.

Ovechkin surpassed the mark of Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame
goaltender Bill Durnan, named in his first four seasons from 1943-44
through 1946-47. Joining Ovechkin on the First Team is Capitals teammate
Mike Green, who earned his second consecutive berth on defense.

Each of the remaining First Team players is a first-time
selection, including two Chicago Blackhawks — defenseman Duncan Keith and
right wing Patrick Kane. The last time the Blackhawks boasted as many was
in 1992-93 (goaltender Ed Belfour, defenseman Chris Chelios). Other First
Team honorees are goaltender Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres and center
Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks.

Among those named to the Second Team is Canucks left wing Daniel
Sedin, marking the first time in 36 years that brothers had earned berths
on post-season All-Star Teams in the same year. In 1973-74, Boston center
Phil Esposito earned First Team honors and Chicago goaltender Tony
Esposito was voted to the Second Team.

Joining Daniel Sedin on the Second Team: goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov
of the Phoenix Coyotes, defensemen Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings
and Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, center Sidney Crosby of the
Pittsburgh Penguins and right wing Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay
Lightning.

Voting for the All-Star Team is conducted among representatives of
the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular
season.

2009-2010 NHL First All-Star Team
GP      W       L       OT      GAA     SO
G       Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres     69      41      18      8 2.22  5

GP      Mins.   G       A       Pts     +/-
D       Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks        82      26:35   14      55
69      +21
D       Mike Green, Washington Capitals 75      25:28   19      57      76
+39
C       Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks 82      19:41   29      83 112 +35
RW      Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks        82      19:11   30      58
88      +16
LW      Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals      72      21:47   50      59
109     +45

2009-2010 NHL Second All-Star Team
GP      W       L       OT      GAA     SO
G       Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes 69      42      20      6 2.29  8

GP      Mins.   G       A       Pts     +/-
D       Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings 82      24:58   16      43      59
+20
D       Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings     82      25:25   9       40
49      +22
C       Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins      81      21:57   51      58
109     +15
RW      Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning   82      21:48   29      65
94      -8
LW      Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks 63      19:08   29      56      85
+36

2009-2010 NHL ALL-STAR TEAM VOTING RESULTS

CENTER

Pts.    (1st-2nd-3rd)   Career All-Star Selections
1.      HENRIK SEDIN, VAN       536     (77-49-4)       1 First
Team, 0 Second Team
2.      Sidney Crosby, PIT      500     (55-74-3)       1 First
Team, 1 Second Team
3.      Steven Stamkos, T.B.    73      (0-6-55)
4.      Nicklas Backstrom, WSH  66      (0-3-57)
5.      Joe Thornton, S.J.      5       (0-0-5)
6.      Anze Kopitar, L.A.      3       (0-0-3)
7.      Pavel Datsyuk, DET      2       (0-0-2)
8.      Mike Richards, PHI      1       (0-0-1)
Eric Staal, CAR 1       (0-0-1)
Jonathan Toews, CHI     1       (0-0-1)

LEFT WING

Pts.    (1st-2nd-3rd)   Career All-Star Selections
1.      ALEX OVECHKIN, WSH      644     (127-3-0)       5 First
Team, 0 Second Team
2.      Daniel Sedin, VAN       153     (1-40-28)       0 First
Team, 1 Second Team
3.      Patrick Marleau, S.J.   151     (1-39-29)
4.      Zach Parise, N.J.       101     (1-21-33)
5.      Ilya Kovalchuk, N.J.    84      (0-22-18)
6.      Alexander Semin, WSH    16      (0-1-13)
7.      Martin St. Louis, T.B.  7       (1-0-2)
8.      Dany Heatley, S.J.      6       (0-2-0)
9.      Patrick Kane, CHI       4       (0-1-1)
Rick Nash, CBJ  4       (0-1-1)
11.     Henrik Zetterberg, DET  4       (0-0-4)
12.     Jarome Iginla, CGY      3       (0-1-0)
13.     Evgeni Malkin, PIT      1       (0-0-1)
Patrick Sharp, CHI      1       (0-0-1)

RIGHT WING

Pts.    (1st-2nd-3rd)   Career All-Star Selections

1.      PATRICK KANE, CHI       397     (49-41-29)      1 First
Team, 0 Second Team
2.      Martin St. Louis, T.B.  348     (49-29-16)      1 First
Team, 2 Second Team
3.      Marian Gaborik, NYR     289     (20-50-39)
4.      Dany Heatley, S.J.      82      (7-5-32)
5.      Jarome Iginla, CGY      13      (2-0-3)
6.      Daniel Alfredsson, OTT  13      (1-2-2)
7.      Steven Stamkos, T.B.    10      (2-0-0)
8.      Corey Perry, ANA        9       (0-2-3)
9.      Alex Ovechkin, WSH      5       (1-0-0)
10.     Alexander Semin, WSH    5       (0-1-2)
11.     Patrick Marleau, S.J.   3       (0-1-0)
12.     Ilya Kovalchuk, N.J.    2       (0-0-2)
Bobby Ryan, ANA 2       (0-0-2)
14.     Rick Nash, CBJ  1       (0-0-1)

DEFENSE

Pts.    (1st-2nd-3rd)   Career All-Star Selections

1.      DUNCAN KEITH, CHI       604     (112-14-2)      1 First
Team, 0 Second Team
2.      MIKE GREEN, WSH 524     (80-38-10)      2 First Team, 0
Second Team
3.      Drew Doughty, L.A.      433     (39-75-13)      0 First
Team, 1 Second Team
4.      Nicklas Lidstrom, DET   242     (12-44-50)      9 First
Team, 2 Second Team
5.      Chris Pronger, PHI      155     (5-30-40)
6.      Dan Boyle, S.J. 149     (5-23-55)
7.      Shea Weber, NSH 83      (3-15-23)
8.      Zdeno Chara, BOS        70      (3-13-16)
9.      Tyler Myers, BUF        18      (0-0-18)
10.     Brent Seabrook, CHI     12      (1-1-4)
11.     Christian Ehrhoff, VAN  10      (0-1-7)
12.     Jeff Schultz, WSH       8       (1-1-0)
13.     Mark Streit, NYI        8       (1-0-3)
14.     Brian Rafalski, DET     8       (0-1-5)
15.     Ryan Suter, NSH 7       (0-2-1)
16.     Ed Jovanovski, PHX      3       (0-1-0)
17.     Sergei Gonchar, PIT     2       (0-0-2)
Scott Niedermayer, ANA  2       (0-0-2)
19.     Brian Campbell, CHI     1       (0-0-1)
Tobias Enstrom, ATL     1       (0-0-1)
Andy Greene, N.J.       1       (0-0-1)
Chris Phillips, OTT     1       (0-0-1)
Keith Yandle, PHX       1       (0-0-1)

GOALTENDER

Pts.    (1st-2nd-3rd)   Career All-Star Selections

1.      RYAN MILLER, BUF        598     (105-24-1)      1 First
Team, 0 Second Team
2.      Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX     371     (20-85-16)      0 First
Team, 1 Second Team
3.      Martin Brodeur, N.J.    136     (6-16-58)
4.      Evgeni Nabokov, S.J.    13      (0-2-7)
5.      Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY   12      (0-0-12)
Tuukka Rask, BOS        12      (0-0-12)
7.      Jimmy Howard, DET       11      (0-0-11)
8.      Tomas Vokoun, FLA       8       (0-2-2)
9.      Henrik Lundqvist, NYR   4       (0-1-1)
10.     Craig Anderson, COL     4       (0-0-4)
11.     Jonathan Quick, L.A.    2       (0-0-2)
Pekka Rinne, NSH        2       (0-0-2)
13.     Jaroslav Halak, MTL     1       (0-0-1)

Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres has captured his first Vezina
Trophy, awarded to the “goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his
position,” as selected by NHL general managers.

Prior to 1981-82, the
Vezina was awarded to the goaltender(s) whose team allowed the fewest
goals during the regular season, the current criterion for the William
Jennings Trophy.

Miller was named on 28-of-30 ballots, including 23 first-place
selections, and collected 126 points. Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya
Bryzgalov finished a strong second, receiving votes on 27-of-30 ballots
and totaling 79 points.

Miller led the Sabres to the Northeast Division title for the
second time in the past four seasons. He set a franchise record and ranked
fourth among NHL goaltenders with 41 wins; placed second in the League in
goals-against average (2.22) and save percentage (.929); and tied a career
high with five shutouts. Miller continued to excel following his MVP
performance for Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, going 9-2-1 in
his first 12 decisions after collecting the silver medal in Vancouver.

2009-2010 Vezina Trophy Voting

Pts.    1st-2nd-3rd
1.      Ryan Miller, BUF        126     (23-3-2)
2.      Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX     79      (5-16-6)
3.      Martin Brodeur, N.J.    32      (1-6-9)
4.      Evgeni Nabokov, S.J.    9       (1-1-1)
5.      Craig Anderson, COL     9       (0-2-3)
6.      Henrik Lundqvist, NYR   6       (0-1-3)
7.      Tuukka Rask, BOS        3       (0-1-0)
8.      Jimmy Howard, DET       2       (0-0-2)
Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY   2       (0-0-2)
10.     Jaroslav Halak, MTL     1       (0-0-1)
Roberto Luongo, VAN     1       (0-0-1)

- From NHL news release

BUFFALO, NY (June 22, 2010) – The Buffalo Sabres and the National Hockey League announced the 2010-2011 regular season schedule on Monday. The variable pricing designations, as well as box office pricing for individual games will be released at a later date.

All Friday night home games will start at 7:30 p.m. All other home games will begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Times are still subject to change. Buffalo will play their 82-game schedule with the same breakdown of opponents as last season. Each team will play their divisional opponents six times (24 games), four games against each non-divisional conference opponents (40 games), one game against each of the 15 non-conference opponents (15)  and three additional “at large” games (Chicago, San Jose and Columbus).

Buffalo’s 2010-11 campaign will get underway on Oct. 8 in Ottawa against the division rival Senators. The team will return to Buffalo immediately following that game to play their home opener on Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers.

The Sabres will play four of their first five games at home during the opening week of the season. Patrick Kane and the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks make their only trip of the season to HSBC Arena on Oct. 11. The week’s schedule also includes visits from the New Jersey Devils (Oct. 13) and Montreal Canadiens (Oct. 15).

The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to HSBC Arena for the first time on Nov. 26. That’s part of a Thanksgiving week that also features a home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 24. Other highlights of Buffalo’s home schedule include a New Year’s Day game (during the IIHF World Junior Championship) against the Boston Bruins at 5 p.m.; Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Feb. 20 at 3 p.m.; and the lone visit of the season from the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 26. The Sabres will also play four sets of back-to-back home games: November 19-20, February 25-26, March 19-20 and March 25-26.

The Sabres will head west to Alberta for back-to-back games in Calgary (Dec. 27) and Edmonton (Dec. 28) during the Christmas break. That will be followed up by a three-game western jaunt in early January to Colorado (Jan. 4), San Jose (Jan. 6) and Phoenix (Jan. 8). The team’s longest stretch of road games takes place in March, when they will play seven games from Mar. 1-12. March is the team’s busiest month of the season with 16 games in 31 days. The Sabres will also play 22 sets of back-to-back games this season.

- From Buffalo Sabres news release

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