|
THE HIP, SABRES AND WILD TONIGHT |
|
|
|
|
|
What a difference a day makes.
The sun is shining in Buffalo right now, and I'm able to type this without needing the assistance of my Albuterol inhaler.
Its downright balmy in the Queen City for the first time in a long time. That is of course, if you consider 40 degrees a heat wave.
I have a theory:
Its the Tragically Hip factor.
The Hip will play two sold out shows this weekend at The Town Ballron in Buffalo and they have a way of heating up the frigid temps wheneverthey roll into Buffalo.
" I remember Buffalo........"
Enough of the damn weather forecast.
We've got bigger fish to fry.
Should be a good one tonight between the Sabres and Wild. Jacques Lemaire and Lindy Ruff have been down this road before. The old Jersey coach may be gone from the East, but he's not forgotten.
Look back to Wednesday's games vs. Colorado for a game preview of tonight's game.
Get a lead, then throw out the 1-4 and the 1-2-2 to preserve the lead.
Lemaire likes to let his horses run. They skate well. They pressure the puck. They are responsible in their own end of the rink.
Lemaire likes to reign them in a play solid, lock down D. Keep an eye on Gaborik, Ralston, Demitra, and Bouchard. Mark Parrish has been dingedwith an upper body deal, and will be a game time decision for The Wild.
Mike Ramsey likes it when his D joins the fray and supports the rush.
**********
The Wild are a superior special teams squad.
They presently rank #2 in Penalty Kill (249-290 or 86%). The Sabres will have to make certain theiur entries are clean and their passing is accurate, or the Wild PKers will launch the puck 200 feet to the Sabres end everytime.
The Wild presently rank #10 in the league on the PP (59 for 328 or 18%).
The Sabres PK units will have their hands full defending Demitra and Gaborik. The Sabres PK forwards will have to do a better job of helping the D and Conklin kill penalties than they did against Colorado.
Minnesota are adept at creating scoring chances while shorthanded. Ralston and Todd White are above average penalty killers and they always look to score. Dainus Zubrus allowed Milan Hejduk to set up a pup tent in the slot on Wednesday night. Hejduk's shortie was a back breaker in that game. Look for the Wild to try to exploit this very same thing tonight.
************8
Three different Minnesota goalies have posted shutouts this season.
Look for Manny Fernandez to get the start against Ty Conklin.
***********
I am an unabashed Tragically Hip fan.
I have seen them play LIVE 15 times. Tonight will be #16.
The first time I ever saw them was at Sinbads, behind the Buffalo Airport, in 1991.
What a magical evening!
This band is one of the best live acts you'll ever see !
Hockeybuzzard Gary Zoldos made the trek to Rochester last night.
They opened with "Lonely End Of The Rink".
The hockey Gods will be smiling on Buffalo tonight !
Lift your tankard and doff your 50 Mission Cap to the brilliance that is The Tragically Hip !
First one's on me, Wip !!
*******8
Join the Discussion:
»