GDT: Chicago @ Buffalo, 1:00 pm est, 12/19/2015

[WildCard]

So, ya wanna play with the big boys, eh? Wanna toss'em around with the best of the best, take their wives and have their rings? Well, you gotta prove you can do it first. That's exactly what the Buffalo Sabres will look to do on a Saturday matinee (it rhymes if you say it aloud) as they host the Chicago Blackhawks in a match-up of establishment vs up and coming. The Sabres, coming off a 3-0 shutout win against the Ducks, will look to keep the momentum going and end strong as they go into a week long break. Get your fix now folks, cause after this, we have a week of SS fights, the Kane thread and Politics. Jamie McGinn has looked strong over the last 6 games, and Tyler Ennis is expected to make an appearance after 15 games absent
 
 We all know who's at the other end of the ice. Hell, we've tried our best to copy their entire model. They're basically our older brother, the one that makes captain and dates the prom queen while we're over here looking at pictures of her wondering if it will ever happen. These guys have done it all, and are looking to prove it again. After jettising Saad and Oduya, the Hawks haven't lost a beat as Kane's 26 point streak and the play of Panarin have the Hawks on the brink of a dynasty
 
Given Johnson's absurd start last time around and Crawford being the only Hawks goalie I can name this many deep, we're going with those two. Ennis is back by the way, so we'll get to see the impact he has on the Eichel line. Kruger is out for the year


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Friday's Practice Report

Without the defenseman, Ennis lined up on a unit with Ryan O'Reilly, Sam Reinhart, Jamie McGinn and Zach Bogosian. Buffalo's other unit consisted of Jack Eichel, Evander Kane, Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta and Cody Franson.

 
Forwards:
 
88 Jamie McGinn – 90 Ryan O'Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart
 
9 Evander Kane – 15 Jack Eichel – 63 Tyler Ennis
 
28 Zemgus Girgensons – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta
 
44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson
 
82 Marcus Foligno – 19 Cal O'Reilly
 
Defense:
 
4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen (Maintenance Day)
 
29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian
 
6 Mike Weber – 46 Cody Franson
 
Johnsons:
 
31 Chad Johnson
 
35 Linus Ullmark

 

 

Kind of amazed Cal sits after that dish he had last night. Honestly, he should get the start over Matty Mou

Edited December 19, 2015 by WildCard

[Wyldnwoody44]

Is that right Ennis Kane eichel..... Hmmm 3 guys that hold the puck, could be electric.... Probably will be terrible.

 

Real measuring stick, I say 4-2 bad guys

[Doohicksie]

Bold prediction:  The Kane-Eichel-Ennis line strikes light lightning, scoring 4 goals.  Reinhart sets up McGinn for a powerplay goal and Risto gets three assists as the Sabres edge the Hawks 5-4.

[French Collection]

O'Reilly vs Toews would be a great matchup to watch.

[wjag]

Chad starts and Linus finishes.  That's my prediction.

[inkman]

Cal O'Reilly played in Rochester last night

[Neo]

O'Reilly vs Toews would be a great matchup to watch.

I have the same thought.

[wjag]

Leftwinglock is projecting Lehner as the starter on 26 December..

Edited December 19, 2015 by wjag

[Eleven]

I love afternoon games!

[WildCard]

I love afternoon games!

Usually I can't stand Saturday afternoon games because I work all day. Today I got sent to work at the slowest store all by myself, so I'm definitely streaming this one  :beer:

[Sabel79]

Will be watching (at least attempting to) this one on the ipad at work.  Hopefully this afternoon is slow.  Interested to see what kind of performance we get against a legit team at a weird time.  Wouldn't mind seeing Eichel bounce a few more in off of Evander. 

 

Also curious to see the reception a certain hometown boy gets. 

[WildCard]

Leftwinglock is projecting Lehner as the starter on 26 December..

The extra week of practice would really help him get into game shape. I can't believe they didn't just sit Ennis one more game honestly 

Will be watching (at least attempting to) this one on the ipad at work.  Hopefully this afternoon is slow.  Interested to see what kind of performance we get against a legit team at a weird time.  Wouldn't mind seeing Eichel bounce a few more in off of Evander. 

 

Also curious to see the reception a certain hometown boy gets. 

How're you watching it? If I have TWC, can I remote login and use that? I'd like to get a good feed if I can 

Edited December 19, 2015 by WildCard

[Sabel79]

The extra week of practice would really help him get into game shape. I can't believe they didn't just sit Ennis one more game honestly 

How're you watching it? If I have TWC, can I remote login and use that? I'd like to get a good feed if I can 

Gamecenter.  The joys of living well out of market...

[Eleven]

Usually I can't stand Saturday afternoon games because I work all day. Today I got sent to work at the slowest store all by myself, so I'm definitely streaming this one  :beer:

 

I thought you were a doctor.

 

I'm getting my Sabrespacers mixed up.

[WildCard]

I thought you were a doctor.

 

I'm getting my Sabrespacers mixed up.

"Rinse"

[rinse]

 

"Scalpel"

[handed scalpel]

 

"...Score?" 

[Eleven]

"Rinse"

[rinse]

 

"Scalpel"

[handed scalpel]

 

"...Score?" 

 

Seriously, who's the doctor?!

[bob_sauve28]

 

 

Kind of amazed Cal sits after that dish he had last night. Honestly, he should get the start over Matty Mou

I totally agree. That was an amazing pay. How he set up and waited for the pass before that, too. 

[WildCard]

Seriously, who's the doctor?!

Who? Oh he's on first

 

(Brawndo and Wyldwoody are docs, and maybe one other I'm forgetting)

Edited December 19, 2015 by WildCard

[Eleven]

Who? Oh he's on first

 

(Brawndo and Wyldwoody are docs, and maybe one other I'm forgetting)

 

That's where I made the wrong turn.  I'm getting my wilds mixed up.

 

That used to happen with the two J car guys, too, but I've since straightened that out.

Also:  starting goalie for CHI is unconfirmed:  http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/starting-goalies/

[#freejame]

I love afternoon games!

I usually love afternoon games, as I'm not usually in the area and like catching the games on TV. However, I'm going to this one and really wish it were at night. 

[wjag]

That's where I made the wrong turn.  I'm getting my wilds mixed up.

 

That used to happen with the two J car guys, too, but I've since straightened that out.

Also:  starting goalie for CHI is unconfirmed:  http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/starting-goalies/

 

 

CHI has back to back..  I hope I am wrong, but I think we get Darling today and Crawford plays tomorrow against the Sharks.  I am trying to pick up Darling for a spot start tomorrow and that will likely go down the crapper when we get the backup today

[Stoner]

Seriously, who's the doctor?!

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on SabreSpace.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I'm not a doctor, but I sometimes play one on SabreSpace, so I also love afternoon games.

 

CBC Sports says that the Hawk goalies are N/A.  So, maybe the Sabres have a chance.

 

Actually, the Hawks at times show some hangover rust from the SC run last season.  I predict a big win for the Sabres, or at least a good / close game.

 

I am on a holiday recess from teaching, so you guys and gals may have to put up with me more often over the coming 2 weeks.  I do have a lot of other work to catch up on, but I can take more SabreSpace breaks working at my office.

 

Oh, WildCard ... awesome job on the GDTs this season.  I did notice that you have started most of them this season.  Bang up job in replacing 26CB, whom I assume you ran out of town.

[Doctor of Philhousley]

Sabres are undefeated when I post in gameday pregame. As you were.

[Brawndo]

That's where I made the wrong turn. I'm getting my wilds mixed up.

 

That used to happen with the two J car guys, too, but I've since straightened that out.

 

Also: starting goalie for CHI is unconfirmed: http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/starting-goalies/

It's confirmed.

 

Crawford in net