GDT: Buffalo @ Anaheim, 10:30 pm est, 2-24-2016

[WildCard]

So, the first game without ROR was just a little shaky, but that was to be expected, right? Well, let's hope for a better showing tonight as your Buffalo Sabres will start out their California swing against the red-hot Anaheim Ducks. The Sabres will look for a better showing this time around and rebound from their 4-3 loss at the hands of the Penguins on Sunday afternoon. The loss of future captain and current assistant captain was truly evident Sunday afternoon, as the Sabres consistently lost on key face-offs, especially in their own zone, and were forced to throw together lines that saw a an AHL rookie play on the 1st line and Jamie McGinn...well , he's been there all year, so never mind. However, there were some bright spots. Zach Bogosian put up 2 goals in an offensive showing that screams Kane hooked him up at breakfast, and a line led by Johan Larsson really kept Crosby's line in check, and actually shut them down for a large portion of the game. Fingers tied the Sabres recognize the value of Larsson in a DD run team, and choose to keep him.
 
The Ducks have rebounded and rebounded big. Coach Emilio Estevez has his team really believing again, and his V has inspired the team to really work hard and sweat out a full 82 seconds games and go for plan A this time, instead of plan B. The Ducks have gone 8-1-1 in their last 10, have won 5 straight, and are 20-5-3 since they last played the Sabres. It should hardly be surprising given the talent and past finishes of this team, and it looks like the Ducks are once again poised for another playoff disappointment
 
The Sabres will be without Mike Weber, as the long-term Buffalo veteran has been traded to the Washington Capitals for a 2017 3rd round pick. Losing Weber means Cola is in the line-up as Franson is still injured.
 
Game Preview 

STATS:
All Stats Anaheim @ Buffalo(3-0 win) 
All Team Rankings
Team Comparison Chart 


Tuesday Practice report

Defenseman Cody Franson, out for one game with an upper-body injury, was back at practice on Tuesday morning, albeit in a red non-contact jersey. Franson was injured in the head and neck area on a hit into the boards in Columbus on Friday night.

"That's an indication of where he's at – a no-contact day for Cody," Bylsma said. "He's dealing with, probably, at least one or maybe two injuries so he's got some ways to go I think before he leaves the red jersey behind him."

 
Forwards:
9 Evander Kane – 23 Sam Reinhart – 56 Justin Bailey
 
28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 88 Jamie McGinn
 
82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta
 
44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson/19 Cal O'Reilly
 
 
Defense:
4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
 
29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian
 
 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk
 
The Ghost of Mike Weber – 46 Cody Franson
 
 
Captain Insano:
40 Robin Lehner
31 Chad Johnson

 

[spndnchz]

Is Sophia playing?

[TrueBlueGED]

Is Sophia playing?

 

No. Celebrity ice repair professional.

[jsb]

Kudos to anyone staying up to watch all of this game. I hate West Coast games on work nights. First game without a trace of Mike Weber since the 06-07 season. Here's to him getting his name on that Cup this June

[Weave]

My prediction is, this one will be a stinker.  Realization will set in that yet another dismantling is underway, and the effort will show it.

[CallawaySabres]

3 more games closer to the end of the season is all I can really muster for this road trip

[WanderingEye]

The first game in the post Mike Weber era. It will be interesting to see how they come out after one of the all time greats has moved on.

[Eleven]

Is anyone actually going to watch this?  Be honest.

[ubkev]

Is anyone actually going to watch this? Be honest.

If I wasn't going to be at work I would be watching. 10:30 is prime time for me.

 

So to answer your question, no.

[skaught]

Is anyone actually going to watch this?  Be honest.

 

Well, I am, I'm going to the game with my dad. Excited to finally see Eichel and Reinhart in person.

[TrueBlueGED]

Is anyone actually going to watch this? Be honest.

Absolutely. Night class + drive home gets me sitting down shortly after puck drop. Long live West coast games!

If I wasn't going to be at work I would be watching. 10:30 is prime time for me.

 

So to answer your question, no.

:thumbsup:

[Brawndo]

Is anyone actually going to watch this? Be honest.

I will sit down with the intention of only watching the first period, end up watching the whole game and be pissed at myself in the morning.

[darksabre]

I'm already tired. Not a chance I'm staying up. Especially with O'Reilly out. 

[MattPie]

Is anyone actually going to watch this?  Be honest.

 

I will probably watch it (as much as I watch any games these days). I'll either take care of some mindless work stuff or chores while it's on. I've been up until 12-1 AM all this week anyway.

[nfreeman]

My prediction is, this one will be a stinker. Realization will set in that yet another dismantling is underway, and the effort will show it.

Taking ROR and Webby out of the lineup is not an insignificant loss in guts and leadership.

[Eleven]

Well, I am, I'm going to the game with my dad. Excited to finally see Eichel and Reinhart in person.

 

Good for you.  Out on the left coast, it makes sense.

 

I'm in the midst of a 14 hour marathon today.  No way will I be awake when that puck drops.

[That Aud Smell]

Well, I am, I'm going to the game with my dad. Excited to finally see Eichel and Reinhart in person.

 

Enjoy!

[Norcal]

West Coast, Let's Go Boys!!!

[Stoner]

[qwksndmonster]

I rarely get to catch games live. If I'm not musicing after my hockey game tonight then I'll be here.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Well, I am, I'm going to the game with my dad. Excited to finally see Eichel and Reinhart in person.

 

Enjoy the game.

 

As for me, 10:30 PM (EST) is 11:30 PM (real time), so no.

 

GO SABRES!!

 

I have a feeling this could get ugly.  Although, on the other hand, it's a great opportunity for Eich and Rhino and Kane ... to really show what they are made of.

 

Bold prediction Lehner gets in a fight, a real one.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Sabres Fan In NS

[Randall Flagg]

I'll be watching. Late night games give me incentive to actually start homework and studying before 9pm, so I should have everything done nice and early today, and I don't have class tomorrow until 2:30. I'm feeling a win tonight.

[Derrico]

Is anyone actually going to watch this?  Be honest.

I will be.  Can't wait.

 

I'm interested to see how the two rooks handle the top 2 centre line duties.

 

Wish it was a 10 start though.  That extra half hour at that time kills me. 

I'll be watching. Late night games give me incentive to actually start homework and studying before 9pm, so I should have everything done nice and early today, and I don't have class tomorrow until 2:30. I'm feeling a win tonight.

I miss those days!

[WildCard]

9:30 am class, so I'll watch it as long as it's competitive 

[Tondas]

Count me in.  Being in central time zone helps.