Monday NHL: Must-See Matchups, Expert Picks & Analysis For Sabres-Lightning & Sharks-Avalanche

Monday NHL: Must-See Matchups, Expert Picks & Analysis For Sabres-Lightning & Sharks-Avalanche

The weekend may be over, but the NHL action is just getting started. This Monday, two exciting matchups are set to take place, pitting two of the league's top teams against each other in a battle for supremacy. The Buffalo Sabres take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the San Jose Sharks face off against the Colorado Avalanche. In this article, we'll dive into the must-see matchups, expert picks, and analysis for both games, so you can make informed decisions about your fantasy lineup and watch the games with confidence.

As we head into the first week of February, the NHL is in the midst of a heated playoff push. With only 20 games remaining on the regular season schedule, teams are fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the postseason. The Sabres and Lightning are two of the top contenders in the league, with the Sabres looking to make a push for the Metropolitan Division title and the Lightning seeking to solidify their position as one of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

The Sharks and Avalanche, on the other hand, are locked in a heated Western Conference battle for the Pacific Division crown. With the Sharks having taken a lead in the standings, the Avalanche will be looking to close the gap and make a run for the division title. With these two matchups taking place on Monday, NHL fans have a lot to look forward to.

Must-See Matchups

The Sabres-Lightning matchup is expected to be one of the most exciting games of the week. The two teams have been going head-to-head all season, with the Sabres struggling to find consistency in their offense. However, with the arrival of new forward Jeff Skinner, the Sabres have added a spark to their lineup and will be looking to take down the Lightning, who have been struggling to find scoring consistency.

The Sharks-Avalanche matchup, on the other hand, is expected to be a defensive battle. Both teams have been stingy on defense, with the Sharks ranking fifth in the league in goals allowed and the Avalanche ranking second. With the Sharks' goalie Martin Jones having a standout season, the Avalanche will need to find a way to get past him if they hope to come out on top.

Expert Picks

Our expert picks for Monday's games are as follows:

• Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning: The Sabres are looking to take down the Lightning, who have been struggling to find consistency in their offense. We're predicting a close game, but expect the Sabres to come out on top 3-2.
• San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche: The Sharks are looking to solidify their position in the Pacific Division standings, and we're predicting a defensive battle between the two teams. We're predicting a 2-1 win for the Sharks.

Analysis

So, what can fans expect from these two matchups? Let's take a closer look at each game.

Sabres-Lightning Analysis

The Sabres have been on a hot streak lately, with their offense finally starting to find consistency. However, the Lightning have been struggling to find scoring consistency, and this could be a key matchup for the Sabres. With the Sabres' offense looking strong, we're predicting a close game, but expect the Sabres to come out on top.

The Lightning, on the other hand, have been relying on their top line of Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, and Nikita Kucherov to score goals. However, with the Sabres' defense looking strong, we're predicting that the Lightning's top line may struggle to find the back of the net.

Sharks-Avalanche Analysis

The Sharks have been on a hot streak lately, with their offense finally starting to find consistency. However, the Avalanche have been relying on their defense to shut down opponents, and we're predicting a defensive battle between the two teams.

The Sharks' goalie Martin Jones has been having a standout season, and we're predicting that he will make big saves throughout the game to keep the Avalanche off the board. The Sharks' offense, led by goalie Evgeni Bobrovsky, will look to take advantage of any scoring opportunities and come out on top.

Game Day Predictions

So, what's the final score looking like for each game? Here are our predictions:

• Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning: 3-2 Sabres
• San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche: 2-1 Sharks

Lineup Adjustments

With these matchups taking place on Monday, fans will need to make some lineup adjustments to make sure they're prepared for the games. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• With the Sabres' offense looking strong, we're predicting that players like Jeff Skinner, Jack Eichel, and Alex Galchenyuk will see increased ice time.
• With the Lightning's offense struggling, we're predicting that players like Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Brayden Point will see decreased ice time.
• With the Sharks' offense looking strong, we're predicting that players like Evgeni Bobrovsky, Tomas Hertl, and Timo Meier will see increased ice time.
• With the Avalanche's defense looking strong, we're predicting that players like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog will see decreased ice time.

Fantasy Implications

With these matchups taking place on Monday, fantasy owners will need to make some adjustments to their lineups to prepare for the games. Here are some implications to keep in mind:

• With the Sabres' offense looking strong, we're predicting that players like Jeff Skinner, Jack Eichel, and Alex Galchenyuk will see increased fantasy value.
• With the Lightning's offense struggling, we're predicting that players