Chicago Blackhawks vs. Buffalo Sabres

Quick read:

Let's be honest: the Blackhawks are coming off a season-opening embarrassment where they got swamped on the road, and Buffalo is the perfect antidote for a team trying to shake off that rust. The Sabres are at home, the ice is theirs, and Chicago needs to figure out how to skate before they can figure out how to score. This isn't a close-quarters chess match; it's Buffalo setting the tempo while Chicago fumbles for the puck.

The numbers don't lie, even if they are a bit brutal. Chicago is 0-1, and that lone loss came in a 6-0 thrashing by Utah, where their offense looked more like a spectator sport than a competitive threat. Meanwhile, Buffalo is used to controlling the pace of play at home, and they don't flinch when the opponent looks like they are still unpacking their bags. You can bet on the Hawks finding their groove eventually, but not tonight when the scoreboard is already a write-off.

The only real risk here is if Buffalo decides to park the bus and let the game get ugly, but even then, holding Chicago to one goal is a tall order for a team that just conceded six. If the Sabres can just keep their heads up and not get sloppy, this covers. Just don't expect the Blackhawks to serve as a highlight reel; they are currently serving as a cautionary tale.