Wednesday
Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets (8:00 P.M. ET/ 5:00 P.M. PT on NBCSN)
Why you should watch: Columbus has built on their franchise-best 108-point season last year with a slightly cooler 10 points in eight games so far.
Artemi Panarin is above a point per game pace (1-8–9); he actually has more points than Brandon Saad, the man he was traded for this offseason.
Skip it if: It’s a light Wednesday with just one other game scheduled, but it’s hard to buy into this matchup as part of NBCSN’s Rivalry Night.
Every reason to not watch this 2-5-2 Sabres team still stands, only they’ll be on short rest after a trip to Columbus.
I’m also not convinced the Blue Jackets are actually playing this season. I went looking for a highlight or whimsical GIF to post, and the internet just shrugged. The Blue Jackets are at home, which means their scary cannon will make an appearance. Or two. Or three.
Also, the Sabres are on for a second consecutive night. That’s more of that team than any sane person outside of Buffalo can bear.
Verdict: Another skippable game. Bear with us, readers. We have a night off from the national games on Thursday, but the weekend holds some promise.