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BUFFALO -V- BOSTON TONIGHT |
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The Sabres start a quick three game roadie tonight at the arena that used to be called the Fleet Centre.
This game is a story of two teams heading in different directions.
The Sabres are playing the sickest brand of hockey the NHL has seen in 25 years.
The Bruins are struggling to keep the puck out of their own net.
The Sabres are riding a seven game winning streak.
They are getting great goaltending from Miller and Biron.
Their forwards are making their opposition scream "Uncle" on a nightly basis, and their D are active and efficient.
The Sabres have their mojo workin, and they have beaten six playoff teams en route to their 7-0 record.
Tonight marks the first time the they play a team they did not compete in the playoffs last season.
Playoffs or not, Thomas Vanek says the Bruins and Chara will be a stiff challenge.
" We all know how good Chara is, and it was a big acquisition for them to sign him in the offseason. Its gonna be a battle."
The Vanek-Roy-Afinogenov has Napalmed the NHL the past seven games. They've scored 18 points in the past two games as a unit.
The secret to their success as a unit has been contant, crisp passing, and fast feet.
Chara can gum it all up with his long wingspan and active, huge feet.
Do they change their approach against Chara and The Bs tonight?
Thomas Vanek has a solution.
" We'll have to go up top a little bit and no pretty plays with him out there. Get on top, shoot it, and try for tips and rebounds".
Derek Roy knows where Chara is on the ice at all times. You have to or he'll eat your lunch.
" Keep our skates moving and know where each other are. We'll drive the with our speed and crash the net".
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The Bruins are a team struggling to find its identity.
They are off to a slow start and they are in need of a jolt.
They stand 2-3-1.
Their problem is simple: They can't score, and they are having a tough time keeping the puck out of their own net.
Through six games, the Bruins have score 13 goals, and given up 23.
When you score two per game, but give up three or four, you're gonna have problems. Big problems.
The Sabres finished the season 7-1 against the Bruins last season.
Sounds like the recipe for another Buffalo Perfecvt Storm, right?
Not so fast says Jason Pominville. There's this 6'9" Giant who the Sabres are VERY familiar with:
CHARA.
" Chara is the most dominant, unique player out there. He's so big, so strong, and you need two,three guys to battle him. Its always a challenge when we play him. he's a great player and we usually talk about him a little bit. He's out there all the time, and on the penalty kill it seems like he stays out there for all two minutes. We'll have to be ready and be sharp".
The Sabres know that Chara is a fierce competitor and he's familiar with Buffalo's attacking forwards.
" As forwards, we've got to fill the lane when he's out there. If he's up top on the point, You try to get close to him and make him hit you (with the puck) or make him go wide. I don't know where Boston uses him on the PP. At times, Ottawa would park him in front of the net. Being a big guy, he's tough to move out of their. We have to have an eye on him".
Z Chara shocked the Ottawa Valley on July 1, when he and Peter Chiairelli bolted for the Big Cake in Boston.
When you get $7.5 Large per copy, you better do everything, including Windex the glass and sharpen skates.
Chara has started slow with his new team. Gone from his midst are world class playmakers Alffie, Spezza, Heatley, Redden. He now must rely on Savard, Bergeron, Boyes, and Murray to make plays and light the lamp. The season is early and the B's have had their share of power outages this season. Murray is heating up, and the hope in Beantown is that Chara and the rest of the team follow suit.
No goals, 5 assists and he's a minus 4.
Will tonight be the night that Chara throws his team on his back and carries them to back to respectability?
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Garth
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