The set-up: The 29-31-12 Buffalo Sabres are all but assured of missing playoffs for the sixth straight season and will be in Detroit Monday night to take on the 28-31-11 Red Wings, who will miss the playoffs for the first time, after 25 straight appearances!

Buffalo: The Sabres earned a 2-1 shootout win at Anaheim on Friday but it marked just the team's third victory in 13 games (3-8-2). There have been few highlights this year for Buffalo but Jack Eichel is one point away from reaching 50 points for the second straight season to start his career. Ryan O'Reilly scored his 17th goal Friday, giving him nine points in 10 games. Evander Kane tops the team with 25 goals and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has registered a team-best 38 assists

Detroit: The Red Wings have struggled on the power play all season but they scored twice with the man advantage in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Avalanche, after netting a pair of power play goals in Thursdays' 5-4 shootout win over the Coyotes. It marked the first time all season that Red Wings have scored multiple times on the power play in consecutive games.

The pick: Noting the above, the Red Wings have some momentum heading into this contest while the Sabres seem to have none of that. The Sabres are 2-0-1 in the season series to-date, which should give the Red Wings even more motivation. Make Detroit a 10* play.