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Chicago Blackhawks will travel to the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night, 6-3-2015, at 8pm EST. Tampa holds home-ice advantage for the series, which may prove a curse in disguise for the young squad that has struggled at home. The teams played twice in the regular season, splitting the games 1-1. -Chicago won the first meeting 3-2 in a shootout in Chicago -Tampa won the second meeting 4-0 in Tampa Should be a helluva series, tons of offense and scoring chances by two really fun teams. I'll take Chicago in 7.

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GAME #74: TBL (40-24-9) at BUF (20-45-8) – SAT MAR 29 – 7:00 PM EDT – MSG-B – WGR-550 BUFFALO SABRES Final Lineup 88 Cory Conacher – 63 Tyler Ennis – 21 Drew Stafford ("A") 19 Cody Hodgson – 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 65 Brian Flynn 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 27 Matt D’Agostini 32 John Scott – 37 Matt Ellis – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers X: 17 Torrey Mitchell (undisclosed), 23 Ville Leino (undisclosed), 80 Chris Stewart (ankle), 24 Zenon Konopka (back) 10 Christian Ehrhoff ("A") – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 20 Henrik Tallinder ("A") – 5 Chad Ruhwedel 6 Mike Weber – 4 Jamie McBain X: 52 Alexander Sulzer (LBI), 57 Tyler Myers (LBI) 31 Matt Hackett 50 Nathan Lieuwen X: 1 Jhonas Enroth (LBI), 34 Michal Neuvirth (LBI) Lineup News & Notes F Zemgus Girgensons (LBI), F Chris Stewart (ankle), F Zenon Konopka (back), D Alex Sulzer (LBI), G Jhonas Enroth (LBI), F Torrey Mitchell (undisclosed), D Tyler Myers, and G Michal Neuvirth (LBI) were scratches in Thursday's 6-1 loss at Nashville. Weekly Transactions 03/24: Assigned D Rasmus Ristolainen to Rochester (AHL). 03/27: Recalled (emergency basis) D Rasmus Ristolainen and F Johan Larsson from Rochester (AHL). According to the Stats In the last 10 games, the Sabres have gone 1-9-0. Buffalo has scored three goals in three games and Brian Flynn has figured in on two of them with two assists. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING Final Lineup 17 Alex Killorn – 91 Steven Stamkos ("C") – 16 Teddy Purcell 18 Ondrej Palat – 51 Valtteri Filppula – 24 Ryan Callahan 23 J.T. Brown – 9 Tyler Johnson – 86 Nikita Kucherov 19 B.J. Crombeen – 44 Nate Thompson ("A") – 12 Ryan Malone X: 11 Tom Pyatt (healthy), 28 Cody Kunyk (healthy), 71 Richard Panik (healthy) 77 Victor Hedman – 6 Sami Salo 25 Matt Carle ("A") – 7 Radko Gudas 2 Eric Brewer ("A") – 21 Michael Kostka X: 3 Keith Aulie (healthy), 8 Mark Barberio (healthy) 30 Ben Bishop 39 Anders Lindback Lineup News & Notes Tampa Bay scratched D Keith Aulie, D Mark Barberio, C Tom Pyatt, F Cody Kunyk, and F Richard Panik in Thursday's 3-2 SO win vs NYI. D Mattias Ohlund (knee) and D Brian Lee (knee) are on injured reserve. Weekly Transactions None According to the Stats In the Last 10 games, Tampa Bay has gone 6-0-4. Valtteri Filppula has a 10-game point scoring streak (4G/10A). Ryan Callahan has three goals in his past four games. PREGAME LINKS 03/27 – GAME RECAP: Nashville cruises to victory with 4 goals in 1st period (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/28 – GAME RECAP: Thirteen Rounds Later, Bolts Skate Away With Two Points (Missy Zielinski – Lightning Beat Reporter) 03/28 – GAME PREVIEW: Lightning try to extend point streak against Sabres (NHL.com) 03/28 – Sabres want to be careful with Ville Leino; Zemgus Girgensons set to return (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald) 03/28 – Sabres legend Dominik Hasek and Ted Nolan enjoy first chat in 17 years (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald) 03/28 – ‘The Dominator’ (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/28 – Game Preview: 3/29/14 vs Tampa Bay Lightning (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/28 – Dominik Hasek met with the media in Buffalo upon his return prior to the Sabres HOF induction. <14:34> 03/29 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at First Niagara Center. <6:07> 03/29 – Lightning at Sabres Game Notes PDF (Sabres.com) 03/29 – THE MORNING SKATE: GIRGENSONS SET TO RETURN AFTER MISSING 11 GAMES (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/29 – Lightning's Callahan enjoying new surroundings (NHL.com) 03/29 – Jon Cooper and Captain Steven Stamkos talk about the keys to tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres. <1:41> 03/29 – Sam Korotkin previews Saturday night's game against the Lightning at First Niagara Center. <2:57> 03/29 – Zemgus Girgensons speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at First Niagara Center. <2:37> 03/29 – Cody Hodgson speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at First Niagara Center. <1:00> 03/29 – Johan Larsson speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at First Niagara Center. <1:08> 03/29 – Press Clips: 3/29/14 vs Tampa Bay Lightning (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/29 – Jon Cooper discusses the keys to tonights match up versus the Buffalo Sabres. <6:13> 03/29 – Ryan Callahan comfortable in Tampa Bay (Kevin Oklobzija - democratandchronicle.com) 03/29 – Teppo Numminen speaks with Sabres.com before Saturday night's game against the Lightning at First Niagara Center. <1:17> POSTGAME LINKS 03/29 – NHL POST-GAME NEWSLETTER: Tampa Bay Lightning @ Buffalo Sabres (NHL.com) 03/29 – Sabres PR Post-Game Report: 3/29 vs TBL (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/29 – GAME RECAP: LUCKY BOUNCE NOT ENOUGH AS SABRES FALL IN OT (Joe Ray – Sabres.com) 03/29 – Dan Dunleavy recaps the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <3:08> 03/29 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <3:00> 03/29 – The Buffalo Sabres induct Dominik Hasek into the team's Hall of Fame. <10:26> 03/29 – Dominik Hasek's career in Buffalo is celebrated in this video that aired in-arena on March 29. <2:09> 03/29 – Cory Conacher speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <0:51> 03/29 – Zemgus Girgensons speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <1:42> 03/29 – Matt Hackett speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <1:51> 03/29 – Drew Stafford speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <1:03> 03/29 – Cody Hodgson speaks with Brian Duff and Mike Robitaille following the Sabres 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning. <2:05>

Remember when the southern swing meant at least 3 points? Tampa is swooning too, so you never know. Right?

I'm being selfish here.... So far I've started two GDTs this year (Philly on 1/20 and Jersey on 3/2) and the Sabres won both. With the level they've been playing at, though, I expect a let-down against a team they should beat. So hopefully my undefeated mojo will get them over the top. With the mojo, I'm expecting them to pour it on tonight- 7-4 Sabres, in a game that will never be in doubt. But only because I started the GDT. :flirt:

Ending March with four straight losses appeared to end the Sabres' playoff chances, but four wins in six games this month have at least kept them within striking distance. They're tied with New Jersey for 10th in the Eastern Conference, six points behind the eighth-place New York Rangers with six games remaining. Lose and your out.

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GAME #62: BUF (18-35-8) at TB (34-23-5) – THU MAR 6 – 7:30 PM EST – MSG-B, BELL TV – WGR-550 BUFFALO SABRES Final Lineup 23 Ville Leino – 63 Tyler Ennis – 21 Drew Stafford ("A") 82 Marcus Foligno – 19 Cody Hodgson – 80 Chris Stewart 65 Brian Flynn – 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 27 Matt D’Agostini 32 John Scott – 37 Matt Ellis – 17 Torrey Mitchell X: 24 Zenon Konopka (healthy), 88 Cory Conacher (immigration processing) 10 Christian Ehrhoff ("A") – 52 Alexander Sulzer 6 Mike Weber – 57 Tyler Myers 20 Henrik Tallinder ("A") – 4 Jamie McBain 1 Jhonas Enroth 34 Michal Neuvirth Lineup News & Notes C Zenon Konopka and D Alexander Sulzer were scratches in Monday's 3-2 loss at Dallas. Weekly Transactions 02/28: Traded G Ryan Miller and F Steve Ott to St. Louis for G Jaroslav Halak, F Chris Stewart, and 2 draft picks. 03/05: Claimed F Cory Conacher off waivers from Ottawa. 03/05: Acquired F Nicolas Deslauriers & F Hudson Fasching from LAK for D Brayden McNabb, F Jonathan Parker, & 2 #2 picks ('14 & '15). 03/05: Acquired G Michal Neuvirth & D Rostislav Klesla from WAS for G Jaroslav Halak & a #3 pick in '15. 03/05: Acquired F Torrey Mitchell & 2 #2 picks ('14 & '16) from MIN for F Matt Moulson & F Cody McCormick. According to the Stats In the last 10 games, Buffalo has gone 4-5-1. Tyler Ennis returned to score both their goals in a 3-2 loss to Dallas & has 4G in his last 3 games. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING Final Lineup 17 Alex Killorn – 91 Steven Stamkos ("C") – 16 Teddy Purcell 24 Ryan Callahan – 51 Valtteri Filppula – 86 Nikita Kucherov 18 Ondrej Palat – 9 Tyler Johnson – 11 Tom Pyatt 23 J.T. Brown – 44 Nate Thompson ("A") – 71 Richard Panik X: 12 Ryan Malone (healthy), 19 B.J. Crombeen (healthy) 77 Victor Hedman – 6 Sami Salo 25 Matt Carle ("A") – 8 Mark Barberio 2 Eric Brewer – 21 Michael Kostka X: 7 Radko Gudas (leg), 3 Keith Aulie (healthy) 39 Anders Lindback 30 Ben Bishop Lineup News & Notes Tampa Bay scratched D Radko Gudas, D Michael Kostka, and F Vladislav Namestnikov in Tuesday's 4-2 loss at St. Louis. Weekly Transactions 03/03: Reassigned G Kristers Gudlevskis to Syracuse (AHL); Recalled G Anders Lindback (conditioning) from Syracuse (AHL). 03/05: Reassigned F Vladislav Namestnikov to Syracuse (AHL); Recalled F Richard Panik from Syracuse (AHL). 03/05: Traded F Martin St. Louis to the NYR for F Ryan Callahan and two picks ('14 1st/'15 2nd). 03/05: Acquired F Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and F Dalton Smith from CBJ for F Dana Tyrell and D Matt Taormina. According to the Stats In the Last 10 games, Tampa Bay has gone 3-7-0. Teddy Purcell has an assist in four of the past five games. PREGAME LINKS 03/04 – GAME RECAP: SABRES WIN STREAK HALTED AT 3 BY STARS (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com 03/04 – GAME RECAP: Bolts Let Lead Evaporate in Loss to Blues (Missy Zielinski – Lightning Beat Reporter) 03/04 – BEYOND THE BOARDS: SABRES SPEND TRADE DEADLINE EVE AWAY FROM RINK (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/05 – NEWS: SABRES STAY BUSY ON DEADLINE DAY (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/06 – Rebuilding Sabres busy at trade deadline, not done overhauling roster (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald) 03/05 – New-look Lightning get Stamkos back to face Sabres (Sean McCullen – NHL.com) 03/05 – Game Preview: 3/6/14 at Tampa Bay Lightning (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/04 – Jon Cooper discusses how the Lightning are slipping in some areas after a 4-2 loss to St. Louis. <3:12> 03/05 – Steven Stamkos speaks to media on being cleared to play and what it means to return to his team. <5:19> 03/05 – Steve Yzerman and Jon Cooper talk about recent transactions as well as the return of Steven Stamkos. <2:36> 03/05 – Dan Dunleavy recaps trade-deadline day for the Buffalo Sabres <2:28> 03/05 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media on trade-deadline day. <3:43> 03/05 – Sabres GM Tim Murray met with the media at First Niagara Center following the Trade Deadline. <16:24> 03/05 – Matt D'Agostini speaks with the media on trade-deadline day. <2:01> 03/05 – Chris Stewart speaks with the media on trade-deadline day. <1:57> 03/05 – Matt Ellis speaks with the media on trade-deadline day. <1:07> 03/06 – Sabres at Lightning Game Notes PDF (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/06 – Press Clips: 3/6/14 at Tampa Bay Lightning (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/06 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following Thursday's morning skate at Tampa Bay Times Forum. <3:30> 03/06 – Dan Dunleavy previews Thursday night's game against the Lightning at Tampa Bay Times Forum. <3:14> 03/06 – THE MORNING SKATE: MITCHELL WILL MAKE SABRE DEBUT IN TAMPA (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/06 – Michelle Gingras previews tonight's matchup between the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning. <2:00> 03/06 – Drew Stafford speaks with the media following Thursday's morning skate at Tampa Bay Times Forum. <3:46> 03/06 – Michal Neuvirth speaks with the media following Thursday's morning skate at Tampa Bay Times Forum. <3:24> 03/06 – Torrey Mitchell speaks with the media following Thursday's morning skate at Tampa Bay Times Forum. <3:25> 03/06 – NEWS: With distractions behind, Lightning poised for playoff push (Missy Zielinski – Lightning Beat Reporter) 03/06 – Nolan glad trade deadline has passed; Hasek going into team Hall of Fame (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald) 03/06 – Joe Sacco speaks with Sabres.com prior to Thursday night's game against the Lightning at Tampa Bay Times Forum. <1:59> POSTGAME LINKS 03/07 – NHL POST-GAME NEWSLETTER: Buffalo Sabres @ Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL.com) 03/07 – GAME RECAP: SABRES YOUNG LEADERS STEP UP TO BEAT LIGHTNING (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/07 – Dan Dunleavy recaps the Sabres 3-1 win against the Lightning. <2:38> 03/07 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following the Sabres 3-1 win against the Lightning.. <2:38> 03/07 – Marcus Foligno speaks with the media following the Sabres 3-1 win against the Lightning. <3:01> 03/07 – Jhonas Enroth speaks with the media following the Sabres 3-1 win against the Lightning. <2:19> 03/07 – Cody Hodgson speaks with the media following the Sabres 3-1 win against the Lightning. <1:32> 03/07 – Tyler Myers speaks with Brian Duff following the Sabres 3-1 win against the Lightning. <3:30>

I HATE THIS TEAM. I posted this on 12/29 when the Sabres blew a 2-goal lead on the Bruins. Since the first of the year though..... not so much. I actually like to watch the team. They've captured 7 of 8 points in 2017 and just as importantly, they're playing inspired hockey. Please, Sabres, don't take me back to I HATE THIS TEAM. I love watching you now, don't ruin it! The Sabres are getting healthy, while the Lightning are suffering from the injury bug. Starting goalie Ben Bishop is out. Several others are too, and TB is dipping into the AHL to fill out their roster (and no, their Peca and Dumont are not related to the former Sabres). The Sabres know what that's like, they know how other teams can take advantage of a banged up roster, and now it's time to take it out on the Lightning. Kick 'em while they're down, Sabres! Also of note: If we beat TB in regulation and push their losing streak to 5, we pass them in the standings. Likely starting goalies are Anders Nilsson and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Doohickie's pick is Matt Moulson. Look for Matty Mo to score a goal or three!