X. Benedict

I thought Tanabe actually played a great game. Why is everyone on your boards bashing the guy? - he was plus 2. (oh, and nobody ran Miller - just a fantasy subplot.)

Vanek is slimmer, faster, more patient and he is backchecking hard. I think it took some balls for Lindy to bench him in the playoffs knowing this kid's skill. He has responded, and I just watched his post game interview. His words in paraphrase: "Not everyone here is going to be happy with this game, we did some things good, we did some things bad, tomorrow is Boston. That is all I care about." Something is rubbing off.

I am enjoying this rivalry. They won the ECF but in some ways we still embarrassed them. Lindy got into their heads, the invasion of the south got into their heads, and we nearly took over their building. They won but are still a little sore about it. :lol: Amazingly Fitzpatrick and Janik are getting a lot of minutes for Vancouver and Tampa

I am expecting a very physical game tonight. Everyone at the Hot-Sauce-Blue-Cheese Arena needs to bring their A game. I am expecting to see El Crusho on TV tonight. I really expect that someone will be dumb enough to run Miller and it will be gloves off.

Why not? I know Miller is getting the start tonight, but it is early in the season. I would be happy to see him start every third or fourth game.

Does Marty get the start tonight?

Good call on Lydman - he was blocking shots left and right.

On WGR they kept announcing that the game is on. I don't think weather is an issue : power and water are.

What team took the ice the first period? Ryan Miller - wow. Simply wow. How does Detroit give Kotalik the #1 game star? (oh and great PK on the 5-3 in the third). 4-0 (I must be dreaming)

And thus, on Oct. 5th in the year of our lord 2006, a movement was born. On this day the fans of the ice mollusks united not to be ashamed of their lowly invertebrate logo. But instead made it the bane of the NHL. Look-out Les habitant, tonight you: Will get Slugged!

Observations in no particular order: So many penalties last night, but most were from the forwards going backwards. Neither team saw that kind of speed in the pre-season. Lots of holding calls. I thought Vanek was skating well. Powerplay looked rushed. While I love having Spacek's point shot, I still thought he could have been more patient and could have stepped up in the zone. Even though 0-9 last night I am not worried. Novotny is going to be an asset, some nice forechecking, backchecking, and nice work in the faceoff circle. 28 blocked shots plus 8 by Soupy is pretty amazing. I am wondering about Gaustad and Mair's limited ice time. Was that because of so many special teams things happening or is it because Peters has no business being on the ice. Did I hear a OOH AHH Sabres on the Warpath in the third? I thought I did.

:lol: Well, you're both 0-1, but I do expect 35 goals out of you this season.

Great Avatar!!

Sabres 4 - Tropical Depressions 2 Vanek, Mair, Spacek, Tallinder. I think we show off the defence tonight. :D

(Ch. 71 in Erie and Niagara counties, Ch. 66 in Springville, Olean and Wellsville) If you don't get 71 in Buffalo, you don't get it.

Thanks for the report. No tv coverage here so was just relying on RJ's call last night. Sad to hear about Corvo breaking his foot. Even though I hate the Sens I was looking forward to seeing Corvo play. How is the depth on your blueline? I guess I just realized that Pothier is no longer there, what happened to him, I thought he was pretty solid. Good to see Denny Hamel back in form. I think if he gets waived somebody is going to pick him up. It would be sad to see him spend another 50 goal season in the A. Did you get a good look at Vanek last night? We are all hoping he is much more fit than last year. Also wondering how you sized up Spacek? I agree, with your comments about Gerber. He'll be a gamer, and I don't think the Ottawa D will play nearly as much puck dumping as Carolina did in the regular season last year. I think Buffalo has Emery number - it still doesn't sound like he has the lateral movement - Buffalo loved playing the puck cross crease against him. I think we will see Gerber against Buffalo all 8 times.

MHIMG - how are you man? Looking forward to your evaluation. In other news, I am hoping that Max's knee isn't serious.

It was a hernia, wasn't it?

Word is a minor hip flexor. Nothing to worry about. But I haven't heard much more.

HECHT gets credit. 25 minutes in and Sabres have 18 shots

1-0

Novotny from Vanek and Campbell. it also sounds like they are giving Sekera quite a lookover. Roy scores from Mair on the powerplay 2-0. I know it is preseason, but I love beating on the Leafs.

Kalinen's back on the ice. Good news.

It is good to hear Ric and Jim. It is probably a good thing we can't watch at this point too. This sounds pretty ugly so far.

It was a trade that Shelby Foote referred to as the Trade of Northern Agression.