Lightning (1-0-0) at Sabres (0-1-0)
TV: SN, SUN, MSG-B
Season Series: The Tampa Bay Lightning were 4-0-1 against the Buffalo Sabres last season. Lightning forward Tyler Johnson had six assists and Steven Stamkos had three goals and two assists. Lightning goalie Ben Bishop went 2-0-0 with a shutout and had a 0.50 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. The Lightning outscored the Sabres 16-3 and outshot them 169-95. Zemgus Girgensons, Tyler Ennis, and Cody McCormick scored goals for the Sabres.
Lightning team scope: Tampa Bay is looking to pick up where it left off from its 3-2 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Friday that Bishop might start all three games on this road trip. "It's definitely a possibility," Cooper told Lightning's website. "Is he? I don't know. But it's a possibility especially with the afternoon-night timetable." Bishop made 23 saves on Thursday including two penalty shots. Forward Cedric Paquette, who is listed day-to-day with a lower-body injury is likely to play, according to Cooper.
Sabres team scope:: Buffalo will be without starting goalie Robin Lehner, who left Thursday's season-opening 3-1 loss against the Ottawa Senators with a lower-body injury. Coach Dan Bylsma said Friday that Lehner will be further evaluated, but general manager Tim Murray told Sportsnet Radio in Toronto that Lehner will have an MRI done and his injury is not short-term. Chad Johnson will start in goal and the Sabres will recall a goalie after the Rochester Americans play their American Hockey League season-opener on Friday. Nathan Lieuwen is expected to start for Rochester, with Andrey Makarov as his backup; each has played briefly for the Sabres. "I think what we saw in [Thursday's] game is what we saw from [Johnson] in the exhibition games as well," Bylsma said. "He got a calm, quiet demeanor in net and solid. The saves he made for us are the saves he made for us in preseason ... He's going to probably get that decision tomorrow." Captain Brian Gionta skated but did not practice on Friday. He missed the season-opener and is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
