Andrew Amerk

I wouldn’t be shocked if we get blown out, I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s a close game, I wouldn’t be shocked if we win by a couple goals.

Doc: “you know Pierre, today is Kucherov’s Uncle Andrei’s Birthday! It’s also the Lightning trainers sisters nieces great uncle Mark’s birthday! So happy birthday Andrei and Mark and a driiiiiiiive!”

Question #2: How long into the game before the announcers make a Hedman / Dahlin comparison?

If Pierre is doing this game, which player do you all expect him to be drooling over all game?

7 x 7. Not only reasonable, but a “Hometown discount” to let the team put money elsewhere for a multi-championship team.

Is that the draft where Boston picked 3 times in a row and made weird choices?

I’d think somewhere between 13 and 16th, but not 20th.

I think we might be more excited about our team than the “experts.” CBS and Yahoo have the Sabres at 19th, and ESPN has them at 20th, in all their “power rankings.”

Beyond what’s already been mentioned, I’d also speculate that the decline in fighting has helped. Not having 2-3 goons per team now instead means 2-3 players that can potentially score.

Have not read the thread, and I will assume a few things I’m going to say aren’t in line with the majority here. Call it what you want - culture/ attitude/ energy/ “the room”/ whatever - has been the difference. I honestly don’t think this years lineup is much more talented overall than last years lineup, if at all. The personalities themselves are making the difference. Kane was very skilled and talented. So is Skinner, in different ways. Kane had the party boy reputation; Skinner appears to actually enjoy playing with his team and having a good time, bringing positive vibes. ROR? Absolutely talented two-way player. Also was seen constantly sulking in post-game interviews with his “woe is me it’s all my fault” aura. Sobotka and Berglund, not nearly as talented. Yet, Sobotka seems very even-keeled and Berglund seems to be a guy the other Swedes look up to and enjoy being around. When a handful of those players are happy, it spreads to others. When ROR is supposed to be a team leader and is sulking, that spreads even worse. Then there is Lehner, which we all know now was having issues. How much of an impact was his head-case behavior having on the team? Hutton comes in, speaks intelligent, seems calm, seems happy. Gives up a lousy goal last game but it didn’t rattle him. Lehner last year probably would’ve lost it, and the team would’ve had no confidence. Is Hutton more talented than Lehner? You might be surprised which one has better stats so far this season. Is Hutton more stable, better for that “culture?” Absolutely. Add in two fresh players, both who never seem fazed by whatever happens on the ice - Mitts and Dahlin - it’s calming. All of this appears to have had a trickle-down effect of sorts. Okposo, Bogo, Pommers, Zemgus, Larry, Bowl-U all appear to be playing better this season - it’s not as if their talents have changed - the locker room is better and more fun, positive, up-beat. Then there is Jack, who doesn’t appear to be having tantrums this season like in the past. He’s in an environment where it’s fun to play, and easier to be a leader.

The lady in the background doesn’t look as confident.

Didn’t we just do this earlier this season?

http://guhle.tumblr.com/post/179977954927/casey-mittelstadt-looking-for-high-fives-from-the

Schaller has 3 points in 15 games, and is on the first line?

Must wing

Didn’t Anisimov do this celly a few years ago and people got all upset about it?

I hope this ridiculous game has earned me another GDT.

Predictions: -The Eichel line combines for three goals, including one on the PP -We get a 4th goal from a D-man -Okposo or Scandella take a stupid penalty that leads to a Habs PP goal -Sabres win 4-2. Risto happens to be on the ice for both Habs goals

Mittelstadt Ullmark Skinner Tage Wowie Ichel (sp?) Nelson

Two of the hottest scorers in the NHL will face off when the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres at Bell Centre on Thursday. Max Domi of the Canadiens and Jeff Skinner of the Sabres each have eight goals since Oct. 20, tying Timo Meier of the San Jose Sharks for the most in the league in that span. Both squads were lottery teams last season, but they found themselves holding down the two wild cards in the Eastern Conference entering games Wednesday. The Canadiens (8-5-2) are in the first wild-card position while the Sabres (7-6-2) were in the second spot. Both teams are coming off losses to the New York Rangers. Montreal lost 5-3 to the Rangers on Tuesday and Buffalo dropped a 3-1 decision Sunday. The Canadiens will be looking for forwards Domi and Tomas Tatar to continue to show hot hands. Domi scored his team-leading ninth goal (tied with Brendan Gallagher) while Tatar had two goals, including his first 23 seconds into the game in the loss to the Rangers. The Canadiens, playing the second half of a back-to-back against the Rangers, couldn't hold a 3-1 lead in the third period at Madison Square Garden. Domi has already equaled his goal output from last season with the Arizona Coyotes. He was obtained in a trade that sent Alex Galchenyuk to the Coyotes. Montreal lost forward Joel Armia after a knee-on-knee hit with Rangers defensemen Brendan Smith in the second period Tuesday. Like the Canadiens with Domi, the Sabres are benefiting from an offseason acquistition with Skinner, obtained in a trade for prospect Cliff Pu and three draft picks from the Carolina Hurricanes. He has scored his eight goals since he was put on a line with Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville. Skinner got off to a slow start with no points in his first four games, but has been on fire. He has 16 points in his past 11 games. "The adjustment has gone pretty smoothly here," Skinner told The Buffalo News on Wednesday. "The first three, four games didn't work out the way I wanted them to personally and not as a team, either. But individuals tend to feel their success like the team. All the guys here have been very welcoming and it's been a really smooth transition for me away from the rink as at the rink. And I'm happy we're going pretty well as a team." Skinner had six 20-goal seasons for the Hurricanes. "I can't believe how strong he is on his stick and on his feet," Sabres coach Phil Housley said, according to The Buffalo News. "He doesn't get bounced off pucks. The one thing that's intriguing is the way he's stripping pucks from behind. He never dies on a play and is always trying to find a way to get that puck back, whether it's on the forecheck or reloading back into our own zone." The Sabres have won one of their past five games, a 9-2 blowout of the Ottawa Senators at home on Saturday. They are 1-2-2 in that span. (Normal GDT rules are suspended for this game, per my call, since it is against the Habs. Prison rules apply today.)

I will be at the game Friday. First hockey game for my 1 year old daughter. She’s got Amerks gear ready to rock!

I want a chili dog.

All that I gathered from the article is that some woman valued money over the life of a child.

Won’t happen, but Risto needs to sit for a game or two. How many damn times was he unable to hold the puck in the zone at the point? One of the most common plays that a D needs to make.