The Sabres hopped their charter directly following the Boston OT loss Friday night. Next stop: Kanata.
12-5-2 Buffalo
10-6-3 Ottawa
What is it about roadies in Ottawa that gives the Sabres the yips?
Vanek and his brothers better get their act together tonight because Ottawa are licking their chops in anticipation of climbing the standings. Buffalo's large lead in the division standing has all but evapourated. Winning this four point game will move Ottawa to within one point of the first place Sabres. Buffalo enter tonight with 26 points to Ottawa's 23. Boston's OT win in Buffalo gives them 24 points. Suddenly, their is no margin for error.
The Sens will get a break of sorts with Alex Kovalev home in Russia with his wife's family. His mother-in-law past away earlier this week and he's been excused to return to Russia in order to grieve with his wife and her family.
Shean Donovan will also miss tonight's tilt for the Sens.
Lindy will likely keep Sekera in street clothes and play Chainsaw Lydman who made his return to the lineup last night in Buffalo aafter sitting the past 11 games.
Drew Stafford may not be able to go tonight. We'll know after the morning skate if Tyler ennis has been recalled to take 21's place in tonight's lineup.
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My favourite human being on the face of this planet, Neil Peart, the Hall Of Fame drummer from the Rush, will be recording his own interpretation of the "Hockey Theme" for TSN's NHL coverage.
The forty one year old iconic theme song has been referred to in fan circles as "Canada's Other National Anthem".
Can't wait to hear Neil's take on the old beauty. Mystic rhythms are likely to dominate Neil's version, and for that, we should all be thankful.
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For those of you wondering about the health of former Sabre Dman, Jay McKee, Here's an update. Jay was placed on the IR earlier this week due to an infected finger. He had minor work done to clean out the infection. McKee told me this that he had cut the inside of his finger, right on the side of the finger where the digit bends. The sore would not to close because of the constant bending of his finger. The sore would not heal because each time jay bent the finger, the cut would re-open. The sweat and bacteria from his gloves somehow found its way into the sore and hence, the infection was embedded. Jay had a procedure to clean out the infection and he plans only to miss a brief amount of games.
Jay says that this injury is nothing like the "other" infection that he suffered during the ECF in 2006, when he was hospitalized before Game 7.
Let's not go there, ok? Jay injured his shin in Otatwa when he blocked a shot. He suffered a deep cut and it became dangerously infected to the point that he could not compete in Game 7 of the ECF in Raleigh. No Jay, No Teppo. Ugh!
McKee's a badass and he'll be back in the Pens lineup before you know it. Its hard to keep #74 down.
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OT:
Patrice Bergeron launches the dagger through the heart.Chara's twisted wrister found Beregeron's stick. For the second game in a row, the Sabres are unable to take command and control of a wobbly opponent. Bergeron's re-direct found the back of the net. Game over.
The B's outshot the Sabres 15-6 in the third period.
Buffalo had beaten Bosoton four straight times at HSBC Arena.
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Drew Stafford's lower body bone bruise may prevent him from skating in Ottawa. When Staff was injured last Friday night, Buffalo recalled Tyler Ennis for the Flyers game. Ennis would score his first NHL goal in his first NHL game.
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1st Period:
Adams Division Bangfest!
Kaleta and Kennedy are involved early and often.
In the game's early going, Milan Lucic smokes Tallinder behind the Buffalo cage. Pick your head up, Hank! Tyler Myers flattens Lucic.
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Patty Kaleta draws Byron Bitz into a silly penalty.
Buffalo PP:
Roy to Myers to vanek in the slot... HDTV can't beat Rask with the quick snapper.
Chris Butler makes a smart play by getting the puck to Pommer at the point.... Pommer shoots--- goose tips it-- SCCCOOOORRREEEE!!!
Goose.
1-0 Home Team.
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Gotta say, the Sabres seem nore focused and better committed to moving their feet and finishing their checks than they were on Wednesday night vs. Florida.
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2nd Period:
Sabres give the Bruins two PPs, to no avail.
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1-1
Byron Bitz and Milan Lucic victimize Chris Butler on a preventable 2 on 1. Butler thought his forwards were coming back to help out. No such luck.
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