1. Can the first pairing answer the bell?
Dan Bylsma said he wasn't trying to send a message when Rasmus Ristolainen was the extra defenseman yesterday, explaining that he just hoped to get Zach Bogosian practice on his off-side. Yet, he still did call out the top air a bit. Josh Gorges agreed, saying that he and Rasmus have been good, but they need to be great. Will they be able to shut down the Blackhawks' high-powered offense?
The Sabres roster isn't scoring unless the team's top-two scorers are on the ice.