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Flyers Gameday: 3-10-09 vs. Sabres |
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PREVIEW
Coming off a solid win over Nashville, the Flyers (35-19-10) will look to end their recent stretch of following good games with horrendous performances. Tonight, the Flyers will host a Buffalo Sabres (33-26-7) team that is struggling to stay in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Over the course of the season, Buffalo has struggled at even strength while holding their own on special teams. The club is minus-11 (combined 5-on-5 and 4-on-4) at even strength but ranks in the top five in both powerplay and penalty killing situations. When the Sabres win, they tend to have strong first periods. The opening period, in fact, is the only one in which Buffalo has outscored its opponents (64 GF - 47 GA).
Martin Biron, who has beaten for former team twice this season, will get the call in goal tonight. In seven career starts against the Sabres, he's 4-2-1 with a 3.19 GAA and one shutout (recorded in November of this season). With Ryan Miller sidelined by a high ankle sprain. Patrick Lalime will guard the net for the Sabres. Lifetime, he's 4-5-0 with five ties and a 2.37 GAA in 14 career regular season games against the Flyers.
FLYERS LINES (subject to change)
Gagne - Richards - Knuble
Hartnell - Carter - Lupul
Carcillo - Briere/Giroux - Giroux/Asham
Cote - Powe - Asham/Nodl
Timonen - Parent
Coburn - Carle
Alberts - Jones
Biron
[Niittymaki]