Buffalo has been a major disappointment this season. But the Sabres have started to play better winning two of their last three. They have a strong history versus San Jose and catch a big scheduling break here.

This is the final game of the Sharks' five-game, nine-day road trip. San Jose just played Thursday night. This is a very early start - 10 a.m. West Coast time - so it's almost like the Sharks are playing on consecutive days.

Buffalo has beaten San Jose 10 of the last 13 times. The Sabres are 10-4 against the Sharks in their last 14 home games.

The Sabres' little two-game win streak ended this past Wednesday in a 5-1 loss to Columbus. The Sabres haven't played since. They won't play again until Thursday. So an all-out effort should be forthcoming against what should be a tired and fatigued Sharks squad that has a lot of age to them.