thesportsbuff Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00 PM EST on MSG, CBC, NHL Network The Sabres enter tonight's game tied with the NY Rangers for 7th place (74 points), but by virtue of having played two less games, Buffalo currently holds the #7 seed. Carolina sits two points out, having played just one more game than the Sabres. Buffalo looked excellent against Boston. They started slow and once Boston took a 2-0 lead, I thought for sure the game was over -- that is, until ~30 seconds later when Tyler Ennis netted a beauty to get the Sabres amped up and back in the game. I know it wasn't the most beautiful goal in the world, but Ennis showed superb patience holding on to the puck in close until Thomas went down, then just flipping it over top of him into the net. Great play! Seven minutes later, Enzo made his presence felt again, this time as he dangled around half of the Boston squad, drove deep behind the net and flipped the puck out front, hoping for a deflection or lucky bounce. Vanek barely got a piece of the puck, but it was enough to deflect it past Thomas to tie the game. Boston took a lead early in the third with a Gregory Campbell goal, but Tim Connolly scored his first goal in who knows how long, from his knees, on the powerplay to once again tie the game. Vanek and Boyes got the assists. Of course, the game went to overtime and words don't really do Gerbe's play justice. How does such a small guy beat the Bruins' defense to the puck? He made an excellent shot/pass through the crease to Brad Boyes, who cashed in the game winner. Some good things to take from the win besides the obvious 2 points: Strong games all-around from Ennis and Gerbe. Boyes played well down the stretch (thought he was a little invisible early on) and earned the game winner. Tim Connolly back on the scoresheet -- whether you like him or not, this is the time of year when we need production from everybody, so we can share our hope that he catches fire going into the playoffs. Ryan Miller looked sharp again and Buffalo tallied 45 shots on goal, which I don't have the numbers in front of me, but that's got to be the most in a while. Bad news obviously is that Drew Stafford was injured. Still waiting for word on whether he'll go or not tonight. I or (maybe mods?) will post injury updates here as get word from WGR or twitter. All five teams in contention for the #7/#8 seeds are in action tonight, so a win is important for the Sabres to keep their game(s) in hand. After having lost 3 games in a row (0-2-1), the Leafs desperately need points tonight to stay alive in the playoff race, so you can expect them to come out firing. We could, for all intents and purposes, end their season tonight. Meanwhile, the Rangers take on a tough San Jose team while Carolina plays a Columbus squad that is also battling to get back into the playoff picture in the West. The Devils play the Islanders, and are coming off a overtime victory over Atlanta. Next 5 Games:
G-Daddy Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Keep up the good fight and finish off the great road trip with a strong effort! We win, 4 to 2. Go Sabres!
plenzmd1 Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Buff...Chz needed to start this thread..the hockey Gods are not going to take kindly to messing with karma LOL. Gunna be a long day of honey doos until this game..but Here we go Sabres here we go!
bills_fan_in_raleigh Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Lets keep the pressure on the throats of the canes and rangers and crush the leafs
bills_fan_in_raleigh Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Parrish called up. Mancari still here. sounds like stafford could be out
Eleven Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 It's my first trip to the ACC and I want to see a blowout win by the away team.
CallawaySabres Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 I honestly think getting one point out of this will be a success as long as they win tomorrow. Either tonight or tomorrow is going to be a lot tougher than people expect......Hopefully Stafford will be back by tomorrow.
spndnchz Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 sounds like stafford could be out Looks like Goose out also. They never put his gear on the bus.
Weave Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Looks like Goose out also. They never put his gear on the bus. Sounds like really jumbled lines again.
Stoner Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Looks like Goose out also. They never put his gear on the bus. That could become a great hockey cliché. Johnson really sucked last night. Man, they never put his gear on the bus.
notwoz Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 That could become a great hockey cliché. Johnson really sucked last night. Man, they never put his gear on the bus. I like that :thumbsup:
Weave Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 TBN sez that Hecht is in. The 1st line should be back intact I guess. Vanek-Hecht-Pommer Ennis-Boyes-Mancari??? Can't imagine what the bottom 6 will look like with Goose out. I suppose Niedermayer will be back at center and so will McCormick. I guess we don't have too many RW's. :blush:
wjag Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 I'm surprised they recalled Parrish. I was hoping for a more flashy player.
OverPowerYou Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Could we please stop including the devils in the playoff race? thanks
wjag Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Could we please stop including the devils in the playoff race? thanks But they went up a solid 1% last night to a 1.9% chance.....
nobody Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 TBN sez that Hecht is in. The 1st line should be back intact I guess. Vanek-Hecht-Pommer Ennis-Boyes-Mancari??? Can't imagine what the bottom 6 will look like with Goose out. I suppose Niedermayer will be back at center and so will McCormick. I guess we don't have too many RW's. :blush: It would be nicer if the statement "first line should be intact" really meant - Vanek-Boyes-Pominnville.
SwampD Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Could we please stop including the devils in the playoff race? thanks I'm sure the Devils would love it if the others teams in the east felt this way as well.
inkman Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 I'm surprised they recalled Parrish. I was hoping for a more flashy player. Like Ellis or Conboy? The choices arent very glamorous. Luke Adam seems like he's a long way from being NHL ready.
Iron Crotch Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Like Ellis or Conboy? The choices arent very glamorous. Luke Adam seems like he's a long way from being NHL ready. Yeah, I like Adams but the kid is only 20 and in his first professional season. Makes sense to bring up a grizzled vet with a lot of NHL experience (even if he isn't the most talented player).
thesportsbuff Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Posted March 12, 2011 Like Ellis or Conboy? The choices arent very glamorous. Luke Adam seems like he's a long way from being NHL ready. Personally I would take Ellis over Parrish. Granted I've only seen Parrish play one game ever, and it was last game, but I always liked what Ellis brought. Thought he deserved to be on our roster this year, probably should be instead of Neidermayer.
kishoph Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 I'd like to see PARRISH put in a better performance, it's not like he's some 20 year old kid in his 1st season, he's been a pretty serviceable player, he needs to show it. Looking for another good night from NIEDS, his last 3 games have by far been his best of the season. Maybe he's a slow starter. Go Sabres :w00t:
inkman Posted March 12, 2011 Report Posted March 12, 2011 Looks like Goose out also. They never put his gear on the bus. How is God's name do you know this?
thesportsbuff Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Posted March 12, 2011 How is God's name do you know this? TBN lol
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