Sabres expected to get major blue-line boost for Game 6 vs Canadiens

Lindy Ruff did not want to reveal his lineup changes for Game 6 tonight at the Bell Centre, but he confirmed one thing to reporter Matthew Fairburn:

It is an important return for the Buffalo Sabres, who are facing elimination tonight.

Power has 5 points in 11 playoff games. At $8.35 million per year, he is Buffalo’s highest-paid defenseman and the defensive support player Ruff needs with the series now in survival mode.

Without Power in the lineup for the previous game, the Sabres’ defensive group still held up in the first period against a Canadiens team that scored 6 total goals in Game 5.

Owen Power’s return gives the Sabres one more key piece before a hostile Game 6 at the Bell Centre

The Sabres have allowed 15 goals in 5 games, including 6 in Game 5. They need every available resource tonight.

The problem is that the Bell Centre on a Saturday night with the Canadiens trying to close out the series is a fortress that is extremely difficult to break through.

Power’s return guarantees nothing. But losing him in a potential elimination game would have been a major disadvantage.

Tonight at 8 p.m., we will see whether Buffalo can force a Game 7 or whether the Canadiens close out the series at the Bell Centre.