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SABRES -V- SENS TALE OF THE TAPE |
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Here we go again.
Another four point game between the Sabres and Sens.
The Sens chartered to Buffalo after their game in Nashville on Thursday night. They worked out in Buffalo yesterday. Tonight is game four of their four game roadie. They'll get their captain and a key energy guy back tonight.
The Sabres beat Florida 2-1 Thursday night at home. They had just come home 3-2 from their 5 game roadie.
The Sabres have suffered just five regulation losses this season. Pretty impressive--- that is until you realize that two of them have come at the hands of the Senators.
The Sabres haven't skated well of late, and they want to get their feet moving early tonight. They skated through the human car wash, known as the Panthers on Thursday. They played their most complete game on Turesday night in The Swamps of Joisey.
Buffalo (24-5-2) has an Eastern Conference-best 50 points this season.
They've dropped 2 of 3 to the Sens.
Buffalo won an NHL-record 10 straight road games to open the season, but were punked 4-1 in Kanata when last these two teams hooked up.
Buffalo has struggled on the PP against the Senators, going 1-for-18 in the three games. To augment that stat, the Sabres PP has been wretched, going 4 for 50 in its last nine games.
Maxim Afinogenov scored on the power play in the third period to lift the Sabres to a 2-1 victory over Florida. Is this a sign of good things to come, or, will the Sabres PP slumber ramble on?
"It's a step in the right direction," said Lindy Ruff..
His team is 4-for-50 on the power play over the last nine games.
Three of the four PP goals have come when Buffalo had the 5 on 3 advanatge. Not good.
"We'll just keep working at it. You're going to have some valleys and some peaks. We're in a valley right now."
Buffalo was outshot 33-16 Thursday by the trapping Panthers.
They've been outshot 99-73 over its last three games-- an amazing stat considering they've won each of the games.
Ottawa, on the other hand, hasn't had any such luck to speak of lately.
The Senators were outshot 33-22 Thursday. The Preds chewed them up and spit them out, 6-0.
The Sens sunk to 1-4-0 without Daniel Alfredson, who has missed five straight games with a hip injury. Their Captain will rejoin the Sens tonight in Buffalo, as will energy source, Peter Schaeffer.
Before Alfie tricked out his hip, the Sens were on a roll--- winning 8 out of 9. Alfie recorded a point in each of those victories.
Ottawa has also been without defenseman Wade Redden, who has been sidelined for seven games with chest and shoulder injuries.
Ryan Miller has been been a pillar of strength for the Sabres. He has a 17-3-2 record with a 2.59 GAA. However, lost three of his last four starts against Ottawa.
Ray Emery has played well versus Buffalo.
He's 6-1-1 with a 2.67 GAA in eight starts. However, he was lit up like a Christmas tree in Music City on Thursday night.
Emery allowed six goals on 14 shots--- Bryan Murray lifted him in favor of Martin Gerber, who is 3-4-0 with a 3.68 GAA against the Sabres.
Not sure yet who the starting Goalers will be.
My gut says Biron and Emery.
Marty beat Ottawa 4-3 back on October 7.
*****
J Spezza leads the Sens with 23 assists and 40 points.
He has ten points (3+7) in his last seven games against Buffalo. Dany Heatley, who hasn't registered a point in a season-high four straight games, has five points against the Sabres this season.
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Speaking of Spezza, I'll be watching the way that Derek Roy and Spezza behave towards one another tonight. You'll recall that the last time The Sens played in Buffalo on November 15, they skated out with a 4-2 win. After that game, Spezza remarked to me that he thought that Derek Roy "dives all over the place.. three of our four penalties came against that guy....". Roy injured his hand shortly thereafter, and he missed the return game in Kanata.
Should be fun a fun game within the game!
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You'll recall that the Sabres bench was up in arms that Peter Schaeffer's game winning goal was deflected in with a high stick. The play was reviewed and then upheld.
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TALE OF THE TAPE.
SENS SABRES
33 Points: 50
16 Wins: 24
16 PP Rank: 15
20 PK Rank: 13
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More in a bit....
Garth
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