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From Sabres site: The Buffalo Sabres will take on the Florida Panthers tonight as captain Brian Gionta is set to become the 312th player in NHL history to skate in his 1,000th NHL game. If you're coming to the game, make sure you're in your seats early for a special pregame ceremony. Faceoff is slated for just after 7 p.m. and we'll also be on the air starting at 6:30 on MSG with the Tops Game Night pregame show. Here's what you need to know. #G1000NTA Gionta made his NHL debut on Dec. 30, 2001 with the New Jersey Devils. He won the Stanley Cup in his rookie year and has gone on captain both the Montreal Canadiens and the Sabres. Our PR team compiled this little nuggets that we hope you find just as interesting as we do: Gionta will also become the 43rd American player to reach the milestone and will be the 10th player to appear in his 1,000th game as a member of the Sabres. Other players to appear in their 1,000th NHL game as a member of the Sabres: Dick Duff - March 7, 1971 vs. Toronto Gilbert Perreault - Jan. 29, 1984 vs. Pittsburgh Craig Ramsay - Oct. 28, 1984 vs Calgary Don Lever - Jan. 27, 1986 at Montreal Phil Russell - March 12, 1986 at Chicago Dale Hawerchuk Feb. 4, 1995 at Florida Charlie Huddy - March 8, 1996 at Anaheim James Patrick - Dec. 4, 1999 vs. NY Rangers Mike Grier - Nov. 3, 2010 vs. Boston Gionta's Career Breakdown Games played for New Jersey - 473 (2001-02 to 2008-09) Games played for Montreal - 303 (2009-10 to 2013-14) Games played for Buffalo - 224* (2014-15 to Present) 1st NHL Game - 12/30/2001 at Edmonton (with New Jersey) 500th NHL Game - 1/14/2010 vs. Dallas (with Montreal) 1,000th NHL Game - 3/27/2017 vs. Florida* (with Buffalo) Facts from the day of Gionta's first NHL game (Dec. 30, 2001) No. 1 Song: "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback No. 1 Album: "Weathered" by Creed No. 1 Movie: "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" Top-Selling Holiday Toy: Bratz Dolls NFL Results: Alex Van Pelt led the Buffalo Bills to a 14-9 win over Vinny Testaverde and the New York Jets. The first 12,000 fans in attendance tonight will receive one of these rally towels. Twelve of those fans will find that their towel has been autographed by Gionta.

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Four days?!? FOUR DAYS?!?! Come on now, that's waaaayyyyy too long for you hooligans to wait for your one and only Buffalo Sabres to take the ice! The Sistine Chapel was painted, Rome, WWII, my 30 rack...hell even God (if'n you believe in such) created the world in 4 days Full disclosure: all things listed above took longer than 4 days....mostly So...what should you expect after four agonizing days of waiting? Well, for starters, we finally get to see a natural center play, well, center. Go figure. Sam Reinhart will take over the 2nd line center duties and be flanked by Ennis and Girgs as he looks to show everyone that yes, he indeed can play and yes, he will sure as ###### be fine; hair too. The only downside is, of course, that this will undoubtedly validate Disco Dan. If it means wins, so be it! We all know the story with the Sabres right now. Coming off a 2-1 loss in Vancouver, the western road trip had its high and lows, and as such the Sabres hit 50% on points coming out of it. We all know they should have done better, and if you don't agree with me, well, I don't like you The Flyers, one of Buffalo's top historic rivals and one of two ###### teams claiming the Pennsylvania as their own, are coming off a 3-1 loss in Montreal last night. By the way, Montreal is 5-0-1, and leads our division. Philly meanwhile sits at 2-3-1, and have a dumb logo. Robin Lehner is out because he's sick with a case of reboundinidous. Nilsson will start for the Sabres Game Preview Monday Practice Report Buffalo: Forwards: 26 Matt Moulson - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 21 Kyle Okposo 63 Tyler Ennis - 23 Sam Reinhart - 28 Zemgus Girgensons 82 Marcus Foligno - 22 Johan Larsson - 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers - 27 Derek Grant - 52 Hudson Fasching Defense: 4 Josh Gorges - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 77 Dmitry Kulikov - 47 Zach Bogosian 29 Jake McCabe - 6 Cody Franson 34 Casey Nelson Goalies: 31 Anders Nilsson Linus Ullmark

I mean, we should be appreciated, right? We watch every single one of these games, and ###### post on a forum long enough where 10/10 doctors don't recommend; livers and fingers simply can't take such constant constraints. But God dammit, we, the fans, deserve our own shindig. And, folks, this is our last pity party. For the last 5 years, Fan Appreciation Day is a day where this organization apologies for acting like a bunch of jamboys trying following Chevy Chase at the Augusta National. We sit there, we accept it, we acknowledge good times are ahead. Well, ###### your wait, and mine, because they're here. Your Buffalo Sabres are 19-13-7 in their last 39 games, and 7-2-2 in their last 11. Winners of 3 straight, their best streak since November, the Sabres have worked hard to climb out of the cellar of the NHL and escape the lame, deformed league experiment chained in rusty shackles to the wall that is the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. It's seems like only yesterday that some were lamenting the Sabres perpetual demise; our inevitable turmoil seemed just that, inevitable. Doomed to stir in our own filth in that basement with the 5 inbred sons of the Edmonton Oilers, and a crying Connor McDavid in the corner whispering prayers to himself as Robin Williams yells 'IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT', some saw no escape for this team. Yet, AND YET, where are we now, I ask you? We climb, higher and higher, out of our proverbial cave molded by Plato, with Play-Doh, and we look above our wall and see the future. It's here, guys. Quit wishing for draft picks, and thinking it will never end. It's ended Meanwhile, the Jackets suck. Sorry, Columbus, that's just the truth. Though, Saad has 29 goals on the year, and they do have the better Foligno. Still, if Torts doesn't berate anyone into demanding a trade or just pure misery, I'll eat my socks. Columbus is 4-6-0 in their last 10, and are coming off a 5-1 win at Toronto on Wednesday. Game Preview All Stats: Columbus @ Buffalo (4-2 win) Buffalo @ Columbus (4-0 win) Thursday Practice Report Buffalo Lines: Experiments: ZEMGUS GIRGENSONS - RYAN O'REILLY - SCHNEIDER NICOLAS DESLAURIERS - JACK EICHEL - SAM REINHART MARCUS FOLIGNO - JOHAN LARSSON - BRIAN GIONTA MATT MOULSON - DAVID LEGWAND - RODRIGUES One of these is our 2nd leading scorer in our last 24 games: JOSH GORGES - RASMUS RISTOLAINEN JAKE MCCABE - ZACH BOGOSIAN MARK PYSYK - CASEY NELSON

Sharpen your pitch forks, grab your torches, and bitch slap the fan next to you, because your Buffalo Sabres are marching down to North Carolina for some pillaging and baby eating. Your Mongol hoard will lay siege to the Hurricanes tonight after coming an insulting defeat at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Minus Jack Eichel, who was too busy playing a game of 'poop or fart' to play any other games, and hitting the end of a stretch in which they played 3 games in 4 nights, including back-to-backs, the Sabres were pretty much dominated in every facet, and looked nothing like the ravaging hoard of plague wielding, baby eating lunatics that will salt the earth that is the PatheticNutsackCanes Arena tonight. The Hurricanes look more like a rainstorm than anything remotely resembling terrifying. Sitting at 76 points, Rainstorm Carolina is in the perfect position to both a) get a draft pick and b) miss the playoffs. Congrats, Carolina, on treading water just long enough to ensure you lose all 5 of your fans. Carolina has a 3-3-4 record in their last 10, and is currently coming off a 3-2 OT loss in Minnesota on Saturday. Look for Johnson vs Ward. Game Preview All Stats: Carolina @ Buffalo, 2-27-2015, (4-1 win) Carolina @ Buffalo, 3-12-2016, (3-2 win) Monday Practice Report Buffalo: Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 90 Ryan O'Reilly – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 23 Sam Reinhart 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 19 Cal O'Reilly – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

*Ahem* Yooooouuuuuuurrrrrrr Buuuuuffffffaaallllloooooooo Saaaabbbrrreesssss are reaaadddyyyy tooooo rumble!!!!! We're back in black baby, and ready for action. We've got ROR back, Jack Eichel scoring likes it's his ###### job (which it is), a wizard in Samson Reinhart on his wing, and Captain Insano in net. We. Are. Ready. To Rolllllllll!!!!. Your Buffalo Sabres are currently coming off a 3-2 OT loss, one in which punctuating just how salty the leagues mouth tastes when it comes to the Montreal Canadians, and are looking to come back with a statement win tonight against the divisional rival Ottawa Senators. The loss, however many 'bullshits' were involved, did indeed see the revival of the Sabres power play as ROR made a b-e-a-utiful sauce pass over to 'Bury One, Give One' (@LTS) Bogosian for a questionable goal to say the least. Still, combining that with a little bit o' rough and tough that the refs stopped in order to save Scrivens from testing the Canadian health care system, the Sabres played a good game, and one they should have one. Look for your boys in blue and gold to come out strong tonight, and ruin the annual playoff push that is the Ottawa Senators attempting to legitimize failing to support the best offensive defenseman since Bobby Orr The Senators? These guys? These guys right here? Well, ###### these guys. Sitting at 74 points, 7 outside of the last playoff spot, Ottawa still thinks they can somehow make it in and lose in the first round yet again. Cue the entire Canadian capital going crazy during the offseason, freaking out that they were 'this close' from a legitimate playoff push. Hey Ottawa, wanna know what you're missing? Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, Ryan O'Reilly....yeah, centers. Enjoy your misery and the insane contract you shackled Karlsson to while it lasts. Game Preview Stats: All Stats: Ottawa @ Buffalo (3-1 loss) All Stats: Buffalo @ Ottawa (3-2 win) All Stats: Buffalo @ Ottawa (2-1 loss) Thursday Practice Report Buffalo: Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 90 Ryan O'Reilly – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 23 Sam Reinhart 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 19 Cal O'Reilly – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

Yooooouuuuurrrrrr Buffalo Sabres will play host to the Calgary Flames tonight as they look to get back into the win column and forget a rather 'because Buffalo' moment last Tuesday night. Buffalo did get some good news today, as Jake McCabe was back at practice after a rough hit last night, and Coach HDDB raved about Eichel's bounce back performance at practice in the wake of McDavi'd triumph. Getting dick slapped so hard your cheek looks like a stencil can really depress a man; combine that with the rumor that McDavid winked at Eichel after scoring the gwg and waved his finger to remind Jack of his drat superiority, and it's pretty easy to rationale Eichel's 40 consecutive end-to-end sprints in practice today, each one culminating with him diving clavicle first into the irons. Bysmla would later lament on Eichel's insistence in carrying his body across the line in his efforts, instead of merely beginning his slide from the blue line and dumping himself in. Meanwhile Ted Nolan heard of the ambitious stunt, and remarked he is currently innovating an entirely new system, and ROR ran naked through the woods doing calculus in his head. The Flames, well, these guys are literally the perfect answer to any teams woes. Like a slump-buster sent from above, the Flames will stumble into the FN'C with all of the allure of daddy issues mixed with her younger sister getting engaged. 1-8-1 in their last 10, the Flames have lost 3 straight, most recently in Boston last Tuesday, falling 2-1. The Flames are a confidence boosting 9-19-3 on the road, and sit 2 point behind Buffalo in the league standings (58 to 56). An excellent candidate to get FN'C'd tonight. And it works, ya know, because their logo is a big C. Hurray for jokes! Buffalo last played Calgary in Calgary and suffered a 4-3 heartbreaking loss, one that saw Ristolainen's first hat trick (a natural one to boot) and a gallant comeback ruined by a Johnson softie. Hopefully Lehner starts tonight Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Calgary(4-3 loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 15 Jack Eichel - 23 Sam Reinhart 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 49 Catenacci - 19 COR - 28 Zemgus Girgensons 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson/19 Cal O'Reilly Buffalo: Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk Someone faster than Franson – 46 Cody Franson Captain Insano: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

Let's rewind this for a second here, folks. Let's pretend we're all back in April, and playing lawn game with our friends all day, eagerly awaiting the moment where our prophecy is fulfilled, that moment where Connor McDavid comes home to Buffalo. I mean, there were so many signs, right? We tanked, we lost championships, we are loyal hockey fans, hell, even his foster home were ###### Sabre fans. It was, destiny. And we lost. We lost it right there on 1 ping-pong ball, a ball even Forrest Gump wouldn't even pay a second glance at. You know what I say to that? I say, look around you, folks. Look to your Crosbys, Ovechkins, Thorntons, Kellys even; great players don't win championships, great teams do. Now, I know some of you may want to lament our trade deadline. McGinn was a good fit, so was Weber, but we're not there yet, we aren't at the point where we can add, we're at the point where we build. And for all of you losing faith, and it seems like there are a lot of you, I can only ask, why? Our leading scorers are rookies; we have a bonafide #1-2 d-man, our goalie is not only proving to be great on a daily basis, but he's also ###### insane; we have vets to guide the rookies; a GM who has a plan, and an owner who will pay up front to win. Folks, I can't stress this enough, we are on the right path. Too many times do we witness organizations fall into the trap of inevitable losing, perpetual failure. There's only one way to reverse such a drastic process, and it's not band aids, it's stitches and surgery. The surgery is completed, and now we must wait for the stitches to mend. I hear it all the time on here, this fear of becoming the next Edmonton. Guys, I get it, nobody wants to be drafting in the top 5 every year. I understand the frustration. Really, I do. But we're not Edmonton. We are absolutely the exact opposite of these clowns. In one year after 2 consecutive tanks, we're already better than these jokers. They're in a fire sale, and we're rubbing our hands in a menacing manner, laughing as the league takes us for granted. I'm going to this game tonight, and it's the most excited I've been in months. I'm going to start drinking at 5, and by 7pm I'll be sitting in a stadium with 18k other fans, all just as ready as I am to watch Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres show why Connor McDavid alone can't win a championship. I'll cram into my little plastic seat, double fisting 24ozs, grin foolishly at my brother and brother in-law, and with the smile of a 5 year old at Christmas, I'll enjoy every second of this. Because this isn't just another game, folks. No, this is the first every meeting between Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid, the 2 greatest rookies in a decade, and possibly the best players to ever play for their respective countries. And you know what? I can guaran-######-tee you I know in which city both players want to be. Now, I can't feel my fingers in this cold ass house, and keystone pounders may not be the best way to end your night, so I'm sorry for the mistakes, but here we are. Edmonton is 2-6-2 in their last 10, and 7-20-5 on the road. They may not have sold off everything, but this is still the same team that for years has the same personality as Marco Rubio. We're not only going to win this game tonight, we're going to absolutely throat ###### Edmonton into submisson. GET OUT OF YOUR ###### CHAIRS, STOP SULKING. God, I love you all, but just have some faith. It's going to happen, it really will, I promise you. Just enjoy the ride. Bailey was sent down, we lost McGinn, but RJ will be back in full force tonight. So go out and buy some cookies, because even moma can't hide them all on the top shelf when the Sabres decide to stick their hand in the cookie jar. Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Edmonton(4-2 loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 15 Jack Eichel - 23 Sam Reinhart 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 49 Catenacci - 19 COR - 28 Zemgus Girgensons 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson/19 Cal O'Reilly Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk The Ghost of Mike Weber – 46 Cody Franson Captain Insano: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

Yooooouuuuurrrrrr Buuuuuffffaaaallllloooooo Sabres will head on...down? to San Jose this Friday night to take on the ageless wonders that are the San Jose Sharks. Buffalo last played Wednesday night, suffering a 1-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Mighty Ducks, a loss that saw Anaheim improve their recent stretch to 6-0. The Sabres couldn't get much of anything rolling on Wednesday night. The Ducks' blueprint model of hard, physical play down low and endless cycling in the offensive zone forced Buffalo to spend much of the game inside their own zone; what limited opportunities the Sabres did get they failed to captialize, whether it was a Foligno power move to the net that Anderson saved with his toe or Evander Kane neutering another 3-1. The Sabres, 0-2 since their heart-and-soul (ROR) went out with a foot injury, are truly missing the minutes and situations O'Reilly excels at. Let's hope tonight that Buffalo can turn it around, and maybe we'll see Eichel get back on the point wagon tonight after being held pointless over his last 2. Also, if Risto would come back, October Risto that is, that'd be sweet. In the Sharks, the Sabres are running into the same train that they ran into vs. Anaheim on Wednesday night. The Sharks sit 3rd in their division at 70 points, 2 behind Anaheim, and are 6-3-1 in their last 10. Somehow, after a HC change, a long time captain ripped of his letter, an aging core, and early trade rumors swirling around star players, the Sharks have beaten the odds and look playoff bound once again. San Jose looks to keep it's playoff spot alive, and are coming off a 4-3 loss vs. Colorado on Wednesday night. The last meeting between these two teams saw a Sharks' 2-1 OT winner scored by Patrick Marleau after ROR tied the game at 1-1 in the 3rd. Something big to keep in mind here, SJ's record at home is 11-12-3, vs a road record of 21-9-3. Safe to say the Sharks hate their own tank Game Preview STATS: All Stats San Jose @ Buffalo(2-1 OT loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Thursday Practice report Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 23 Sam Reinhart – 56 Justin Bailey 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 88 Jamie McGinn 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson/19 Cal O'Reilly Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk The Ghost of Mike Weber – 46 Cody Franson Captain Insano: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

So, the first game without ROR was just a little shaky, but that was to be expected, right? Well, let's hope for a better showing tonight as your Buffalo Sabres will start out their California swing against the red-hot Anaheim Ducks. The Sabres will look for a better showing this time around and rebound from their 4-3 loss at the hands of the Penguins on Sunday afternoon. The loss of future captain and current assistant captain was truly evident Sunday afternoon, as the Sabres consistently lost on key face-offs, especially in their own zone, and were forced to throw together lines that saw a an AHL rookie play on the 1st line and Jamie McGinn...well , he's been there all year, so never mind. However, there were some bright spots. Zach Bogosian put up 2 goals in an offensive showing that screams Kane hooked him up at breakfast, and a line led by Johan Larsson really kept Crosby's line in check, and actually shut them down for a large portion of the game. Fingers tied the Sabres recognize the value of Larsson in a DD run team, and choose to keep him. The Ducks have rebounded and rebounded big. Coach Emilio Estevez has his team really believing again, and his V has inspired the team to really work hard and sweat out a full 82 seconds games and go for plan A this time, instead of plan B. The Ducks have gone 8-1-1 in their last 10, have won 5 straight, and are 20-5-3 since they last played the Sabres. It should hardly be surprising given the talent and past finishes of this team, and it looks like the Ducks are once again poised for another playoff disappointment The Sabres will be without Mike Weber, as the long-term Buffalo veteran has been traded to the Washington Capitals for a 2017 3rd round pick. Losing Weber means Cola is in the line-up as Franson is still injured. Game Preview STATS: All Stats Anaheim @ Buffalo(3-0 win) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Tuesday Practice report Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 23 Sam Reinhart – 56 Justin Bailey 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 88 Jamie McGinn 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson/19 Cal O'Reilly Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk The Ghost of Mike Weber – 46 Cody Franson Captain Insano: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

So, who here is ready for some Sunday Funday? Because that's exactly what you're going to get for today's matinee as your Buffalo Sabres will host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a showdown of what could have been vs what will be. The Sabres, led by Captain Insano, will look to continue their winning ways and improve on the 3-0-1 record they're currently posting over their last four. The Sabres last win, a 4-0 victory in Columbus on Friday night, saw the team come together through thick and thin; David Legwand recorded his 3rd (according to my friend) miracle goal of his career, Eichel had 2 assists, Reinhart scored another goal, McGinn proved he belongs/drove up his trade value, and Robin Lehner reminded everyone in the league not to ###### around in his ring. Apparently, hearing this second hand, Lehner's eyes lit up so fiercely as to defy Einstein's theory of relativity, and are now the first image appearing on alien feeds, properly replacing Hitler's speech as the furthest traveling imprint of mankind's history. According to numerous reports and the alien guy from the History Channel, aliens are now reconsidering their 2nd invasion, planned for July 4th, our Independence Day. The movie is also cancelled, and Lehner is still somewhere out there, trying to fight Will Smith and Rob Ray. The Penguins on the other hand, have seen a revival under their new head coach. A once listless Pens team, led by the Hamburgler and Celine Dion, believe their hearts can indeed go on as they look to further entrench themselves in the playoff hunt. The Pens are 6-3-1 in their last 10, and are coming off a 4-2 loss vs Tampa Bay on Saturday night. The first meeting between these teams this season saw the Penguins win 4-3 in Pittsburgh on the back of backup goalie Jeff Zatkoff's 50 saves. DD will look to add a little more funk to the game tonight, and drive this soul train on through to the FN'C to keep it stayin' alive. Lehner will get the start, and look for Zatkoff to go again as the Pens are unsure of Fleury traveling with the team. Franson is still out with a neck injury, but Bogosian is good to go. Defensive pairings will probably be different. Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Pittsburgh (4-3 loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Saturday Practice report Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 23 Sam Reinhart - 56 Justin Bailey 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 88 Jamie McGinn 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson Defensemen: 4 Josh Gorges, 55 Rasmus Ristolainen, 29 Jake McCabe, 47 Zach Bogosian, 3 Mark Pysyk, 6 Mike Weber 46 Cody Franson, 25 Carlo Colaiacovo Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

To get a little, you got to give a little, right? Well, your Buffalo Sabres will get back Evander Kane tonight after a 1 game suspension for missing a team practice the other day, but will sadly return Justin Bailey to the Rochester Amerks to get a little more seasoning in his cousine. Look for a visibly embarrassed Kane to come back full force tonight and remind his teammates that he isn't what everyone in Winnipeg cast him off as. But, you didn't come here for that, did you? No way, you came here for the good news, so sit your ass down, because that's what you're about to get. Your Buffalo Sabres, after playing Slippin Jimmy for 2 games, are 2-0-1 in their last 3, and 3-2-3 in their last 8. Now, that may not seem like a lot to some of you, but that's huge progress for a team where the two leading scorers are rookies. That stat right there tells me that not only are we winning, but that we're competitive too. The team is starting to come together folks, and now we can fasten our seat belts (how the is that not one word?) and watch the scoring race between Evander, ROR, Reinhart, and Eichel. All under contract, all under 25, and all extremely talented. Throw in Drago on the blue line, and maybe a little Finnish spice and some Cam Fowler, and we're in business. Now, who better for the Sabres to face than the team that gifted them Jack Eichel? We all owe Cam Atkinson a beer for that one. Yet, here's the catch. For whatever Nolan-esk reason, Torts has the Jackets playing much better these days. 6-1-3 in their last 10, the BJ's have stepped out of the basement and sit tied with Buffalo at 53 points in 58 games. The Jackets are 4-2 in their last 6, and are coming off a 2-1 loss against the Bruins on Tuesday night. The last time these teams squared off, I think we can all remember this goal. Game Preview (It's wrong, Jack did not score his first goal against Columbus) STATS: All Stats Columbus @ Buffalo (3-1 win) (NA) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Thursday Practice report Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 90 ROR– 23 Sam Reinhart 88 Jamie McGinn – 15 Jack Eichel – 56 Justin Bailey 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 3 Mark Pysyk – 46 Cody Franson 6 Mike Weber – 25 Carlo Colaiacovo Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson Power Play First Unit Catenacci-Eichel-Reinhart-McGinn-Ristolainen Second Unit Kane-Moulson-Gionta-Bogosian-Pysyk

(ahem)......Yooooooouuuuuuuuurrrrrr Buffalo Sabres will stroll on up to Canada's capital tonight for a division showdown against the revamped Ottawa Senators. The Sabres, having won 2 straight and earned points in 6 out of their last 8, will look to continue their winning ways and cling to the hope that is a playoff spot. Coming off a 4-1 win against Colorado on Sunday afternoon, the Sabres started hot early with a beautiful coast to coast goal from Jack Eichel and a responding Reinhart goal later on, one that saw the rookies continue their torrid race to lead the team in goals. Evander Kane also scored early on, and appears to have finally found his way in Buffalo as his recent hot streak has him at 16 goals now, 1 behind Reinhart, Eichel, and ROR for the team lead, despite having played 10 less games. Kane's recent antics will cost him yet another game, no doubt a power move by Evander as his self-sabotage will only make his eventual goal totals even that much more impressive. Ahhh, the Senators. Let's just say that the first blockbuster of the NHL world hasn't really paid off so far for Ottawa. Losers of 3 straight and 3-7 in their last 10, Brian Murray's gamble to vault his team into playoff contention has, thus far, completely back-fired, leaving Ottawa 8 points back of playoff contention, and a mere 4 points ahead of the team engineered by his nephew, the Sabres. The Sabres and Senators enter tonight's game with a 1-1 season tie in the series, with Buffalo winning the most recent contest 3-2 right before the ASB. The win featured 2 additions to the Eichel tower, and a towering performance by ex-Senator Robin Lehner, who's Davie Crockett impression single-handedly saved the game for the last 12 minutes of the 3rd. The Sabres will be without Evander Kane for his antics. Look for Lehner to start. Jack has 3 goals against Ottawa in his young career so far, including his first NHL goal Game Preview STATS: All Stats OBuffalo @ Ottawa(3-2 win) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Monday Practice report Forwards: 88 Jamie McGinn – 90 Ryan O'Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 26 Matt Moulson 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 56 Justin Bailey Defensemen: 4 Josh Gorges, 55 Rasmus Ristolainen, 29 Jake McCabe, 47 Zach Bogosian, 3 Mark Pysyk, 46 Cody Franson, 6 Mike Weber, 25 Carlo Colaiacovo Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

You know, there's just certain acts of decency, and unspoken manner of living if you will, that's everyone should abide by. Bring your own beer; don't block intersection; call your parents on their birthdays; wear headphones if you want to listen to music in public, you ###### pos, Greg; don't wear camo to a funeral; get drunk for weddings and funerals; fill the tank up if you borrow my car; if I'm driving, shut the ###### up, and don't touch my radio; return the favor; say please, thank you, and be a gentleman; you don't take videos at bachelor parties, you ######; spare a square. And, last but not least, life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it. In honor of VD, we all know there's this same code for dating. Put your phone away. Be enthusiastic. Reach for the check. Don't bring up your exes. And for the love of ######, always DENNIS. Still, if all that goes well, maybe you get a 2nd, and a 3rd date, and before you know it, you're getting married to the love of your life .Sure, it started off with a massive bang, and things were great. But, let's just say for a second, that it all just goes terribly, terribly wrong, and you just can't help yourself. Huge work party where you might get the most important promotion of your career? She brings a fog machine. That awesome puppy you waited 14, excruciating days to finally fall in your lap? Too bad, that puppy hates you, and it's because she's a cold, frigid bitch. But, lo! She warms up, starts looking good again (and I mean gooooooddd), and she goes out and buys that puppy for you. You think to yourself, "How could I not love this person?" You love that puppy, and boy does that thing love you. Hell, even your kids love it. The puppy's so good, it gets your kid their first romance. But, for no reason, your wife goes and kicks the poor girl right in the leg. "So what", you say, romances come and go. Sure enough, that puppy goes out and gets 3, 3!, more hot young things for your kid, and you are just grinning from cheek to cheek. After the first one, you're not too worried, that was a fluke. Then you wife opens her loud mouth, and pisses of the 2nd one. No dice. For the 3rd one she just slammed the door right in the poor kids face. The 4th one? Where your kid finally gets to the 2nd date, and things are looking great? Well, she shits all over that too. Now, you have to be asking yourself at this point: Why, dear God, why?!? Why do I possibly keep coming back to her?!? I work all day, every day, and she calls and calls and calls, I can't escape her! But, here's the thing, for no rational reason whatsoever, I don't want to. I know that somewhere down the road, she'll finally be everything I knew she was. So, you trudge on. You sit her down, and tell her, "Listen, things have been rough lately. Your Shrekish behavior is scaring away all of Junior's romances. Now, I know it's your swamp and no, I don't think your sister is prettier than you. But still, how about, next time Junior brings home a date, you just leave her alone, alright?" So, you go and get a new puppy to help Junior out. A shelter puppy, it's some Easter European breed, but the thing has spunk, so you take it home. Boy, does Junior, and his date, love this puppy. Hell, Junior's just the sideshow here, the puppy is single-handedly bringing this home! Your excited, you can't hold it in. This is it, you think to yourself. But, come on folks, we all know she's out there somewhere. And with the roar of some inbred Cowboy, she comes in and judo kicks Junior's date right in the ###### jaw; left foot just slicing away cartilage and facial structures. ###### it, you're done. The first puppy died, and the 2nd one has left. There is nothing, no hope. Junior sulks for the next decade or so, with no hope in site. Sure, he gets some mild success, a phone call here and there, but every time you know your wife is out there, ready to cut the phone lines. But....what's this? A new puppy? A...a better, puppy? Could it be? No, it's not one, it's 2! It's 3!. It's a god damned ###### smorgasboard of puppies! You've become the ###### ASPCA without that annoying Sara McCocklin! Sure, these puppies are untrained; they ###### on the rug, pee on the coach, and ultimately disappoint you almost every time you watch them. But god dammit, there yours. Your wife comes in, she sees these puppies, and, as she turns on the game and pours you a nice, tall beer, she tells you she won't screw the pooch this time. You look up into her eyes, and realize you just can't quit her then she gives the worlds greatest slow-blow and it's ###### nice Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Colorado (2-1 loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Saturday Practice report Forwards: 9 Evander Kane – 90 Ryan O'Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart 88 Jamie McGinn – 15 Jack Eichel – 56 Justin Bailey 82 Marcus Foligno – 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 12 Brian Gionta 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt Moulson Defensemen: 4 Josh Gorges, 55 Rasmus Ristolainen, 29 Jake McCabe, 47 Zach Bogosian, 3 Mark Pysyk, 46 Cody Franson, 6 Mike Weber, 25 Carlo Colaiacovo Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

For some, maybe even for most, this is the team to hate. The Fog Game, the brawls of the late 90's, the Umberger hit, the 98 playoff series and brawl. This was everything you could possibly hate if you were lucky enough to watch hockey back then. So, because I'm a little tired, and some of these clips and pics could do a way better job and stoking the fire for some of you that watched those games, here you go: The Sabres will look to bounce back after having a 4 game point streak snapped. After losing 7-4 in epic fashion against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, Buffalo looks to drink deep from the character created from that loss, one that saw continual comebacks, a pissed of Jack Eichel, and Evander Kane going 3-0 in fights. Lehner was pulled after giving up 4 goals in barely over 1 period of work. McCabe got a taste at forward, and ROR was double-shifted a ton to make up for the unexpected losses of Girgensons and Larsson Larsson and Girgensons are still questionable, though one or both is unlikely to play given the call up of Justin Bailey from Rochester. Bailey will make his first ever NHL appearance, and it couldn't be more fitting to have it come against an old Sabres rival, perhaps the oldest rival indeed. Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Philly (3-1 win) All Stats Buffalo @ Florida (4-3 OT win) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Wednesday Practice Report Forwards: Nicolas Deslauriers - Ryan O'Reilly - Jamie McGinn Evander Kane - Sam Reinhart - Brian Gionta Marcus Foligno - Jack Eichel - Matt Moulson Daniel Catenacci - David Legwand - Justin Bailey Blue-Liners: Zach Bogosian - Mark Pysyk Josh Gorges - Rasmus Ristolainen Mike Weber - Cody Franson Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson By the way, those videos are ###### awesome. That hockey was so much damn fun to watch. Made me rethink my position about some things

Facts about Panthers: - They're like your cat, but bigger. - The average Panther weighs somewhere around 190 lbs, is around 6 feet in length, and is worth millions of dollars. - The long claws on a Panther make them perfect for maneuvering on the ice, as well as climbing trees. - The dominate male of the pack often depicts his dominance with a prominent mane extending exclusively from the back. The front is for business only - The pack as a whole is 5-4-1 in their last 10 hunts, including a 3-0 ambush loss at the hands of the rival Red Wings - Panthers can roar in Canadian, Finnish, Czech, American, and Floridian, the last of which is merely a 911 call - Panthers only gather during mating season with 82 annual rituals. The last time bonus humps were awarded was 2011-2012, but that party was ruined by the Devil - The Florida Panther is not a real panther, it's actually a cougar. Oddly fitting, given Florida's demographic - I once saw a Jaguar eat an alligator. Jaguar's are actually Panthers, sometimes - Panthers are often dominated and abused by their older rival in the animal kingdom, horses The Sabres, on the other hand, will look to reverse their fortune and get back to their winning ways. Coming of a 2-1 OT loss to the refs last Saturday night, Buffalo and the insanity encapsulated that is Robin Lehner will look to chuck pucks instead of helmets this time around and come out with the W. Buffalo has lost 2 straight OT games, one being the Skills Competition, and both at the hands of the Boston Bruins. The good news is, Robin Lehner appears to not only be the emotional catalyst necessary to drive some life into this team, but he's also slowly melting away the fear that GMTM paid too much for a replaceable part. Combine Lehner's play with the addition of a likely top 10 pick and the continued development of Kane, Eichel, Risto, Reinhart, and Zemgus, and it looks like National Geographic will have to do a special on us next year as the surprising upstart rising to the playoffs. Look for Lehner vs. Luongo; Marcus Foligno and Zemgus Girgensons are both questionable, with Marcus likely playing. Barkov ruled out with an UBI on a big hit from Abdelkader last night. The is a huge, huge loss for the Panthers Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Florida (3-2 loss) All Stats Buffalo @ Florida (3-2 win) All Stats Florida @ Buffalo (5-1 loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Monday Practice Report Forwards: 88 Jamie McGinn – 90 Ryan O'Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart 9 Evander Kane – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 26 Matt Moulson – 15 Jack Eichel – 82 Marcus Foligno 43 Daniel Catenacci – 17 David Legwand – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers Blue-Liners: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 29 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian 6 Mike Weber – 3 Mark Pysyk 25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 46 Cody Franson Captain Insaneo: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson

Beat me once, shame on me. Beat me twice, and I put that little ###### rat through the glass. Your Buffalo Sabres will be looking for revenge like you do against the ass-head in the office who wears his Pats jersey and spoons with a Brady fathead in his mom's basement. A game, you think this is a game? No, this is personal. Boston is the guy who eats out of the peanut butter jar with his fingers; the guy who takes your company parking spot; the girl who eats from your plate when she insisted she wasn't hungry; the guy who doesn't smokes but will always bum one off you; that dude in the circle who didn't throw down but wants in; slow walking, close talking, mouth breathing neanderthal who's idea of an argument is to simply yell louder than you. Boston's the girl that gets mad at you for holding the door, then yells out you about chivalry; the guy who claims no chicks like him, then rocks a gem-studded douchebag vest out to the bars where he brags about the chicks he's banged. That guy that one ups every story you have; the interrupter; the complainer; and that oh so special princess who says "If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best". Simply put, Boston is everything you hate in life. The Sabres, our burgeoning hero who rises from the ashes to put our city back on the map, will look to make a statement to the NHL that we are no longer the red-headed step-child of the league (Sorry bio, I'm a ginger too though. Well, 1/2). Coming off a heart-breaking 3-2 SO loss against Boston on Thursday night, one that saw the best and worst of Chad Johnson, and the worst of Dan Byslma, the Sabres will look to avenge their loss and continue the playoff push by making ground against a divisional opponent and a WC contender. Buffalo is much, much better on the road. Boston sits at 11-13-3 at home, and the Sabres are 12-11-2 on the road. Considering the away team has one each contest so far, I'll expect a Sabres win, and a better showing by DD. Look for Lehner and Rask to get the starts. Marcus Foligno is out with a LBI, and Daniel Cat-nasty will make his pro-debut. Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Boston (6-3 win) All Stats Boston @ Buffalo (4-1 loss) NA Right Now All Stats Boston @ Buffalo (3-2 SO loss) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Friday Practice Report Buffalo: Forwards: 88 Jamie McGinn – 90 Ryan O''Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 12 Brian Gionta 9 Evander Kane – 22 Johan Larsson – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers 26 Matt Moulson – 17 David Legwand – Daniel Cat-Nasty Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 47 Zach Bogosian – 3 Mark Pysyk 29 Jake McCabe – 46 Cody Franson 6 Mike Weber – 25 Carlo Colaiacovo Goalies: 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson Power Play 1 McGinn – O'Reilly – Reinhart Eichel – Ristolainen Power Play 2 Kane – Girgensons – Gionta Bogosian – Cody Franson

I swear, I don't know about the rest of you, but there's nothing quite like a Sabres - Bruins game. The Buffalo Sabres will look to throw the gahbahg to the curb as the Boston Bruins come to town. Coming off a much needed win in Montreal last night, the Sabres will look to continue their wining ways (winners of 2 straight, both divisional opponents) and continue their divisional domination in the process. Wednesday nights win, against a Price-less Canadiens team (5-20-1 in that stretch) was crucial for a young Sabres team coming rested off a much needed ASB. Eichel continued his point production with a secondary assist on a McGinn goal that saw Jack toe the line before giving it to Risto where a b-e-a-utiful pass was made to meg the Canadien's defender and tie the game. Johan Larsson, who may have finally found his spot in the NHL, would score the GWG just minutes later. Robin Lehner has continued to improve, and put in another solid performance for Buffalo The Bruins sit 12 points ahead of the Sabres, and hold on to the top WC spot at 58 points; the Penguins have 57 points. Boston is coming off a 4-3 OT loss against Toronto on Tuesday. Bergeron leads Boston with 19-25-44, Marchand with 22 goals, and Spooner with 27 assists. ROR leads Buffalo in every category, including Tim Horton's hit. The teams have split the season series so far, with Boston winning the most recent match-up in Buffalo. Bad news here: Buffalo is terrible at home, and Boston is amazing on the road (9-15-2 and 15-5-3). Well, lets knock these up to 6. I mean, come on guys. We're playing Jay tonight Look for Johnson and Rask tonight. Game Preview STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Boston (6-3 win) All Stats Boston @ Buffalo (4-1 win) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Buffalo: Forwards: 88 Jamie McGinn – 90 Ryan O''Reilly – 23 Sam Reinhart 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 82 Marcus Foligno 9 Evander Kane – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 26 Matt Moulson – 17 David Legwand – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers Defense: 4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 47 Zach Bogosian – 3 Mark Pysyk 29 Jake McCabe – 46 Cody Franson 6 Mike Weber – 25 Carlo Colaiacovo Goalies: 31 Chad Johnson 40 Robin Lehner Power Play 1 McGinn – O'Reilly – Reinhart Eichel – Ristolainen Power Play 2 Kane – Girgensons – Gionta Bogosian – Cody Franson

Here it is folks, Larkin vs. Eichel 4.0. Both red-shirt rookie phenoms stand tied at 30 points and 14 goals a piece, each 1 point behind Max Domi and a distant 15 behind Artemi Panarin for the rookie leading scorers. Whereas Larkin came out blazing from the gate, earning himself an ASG nod and plenty of well-deserved hype, Eichel took a little while longer to find his legs, and still may be doing so, indicating the best is yet to come. Since the start of December, only Panarin has more points than Eichel, and it's those two, then the rest. Eichel comes into tonight with 16 points in his last 15 games, and will look to build on his last success vs Detroit, a contest that saw Jack post 2 beautiful goals and Reinhart contribute a ppg in a 4-3 loss after the Wings scored late on a softie let in by Johnson. The Sabres will look to even the season series tonight at 2 games a piece, and continue to make a push up the standings. The Red Wings, 5-41 in their last 10 and coming off a 2-1 loss vs. St.Louis on Wednesday night, will look to further entrench themselves in a playoff picture that has seen the collapse of the Canadiens and the resurgence of the Lightning. Detroit, the only EC playoff team with a negative goal differential (-6), has only 4 more goals than the Sabres on the season, and 9 less allowed. The Wings provide a great test for our young team; filled with savvy vets and on ice-smarts that make us all look like Ted Cruz, the Wings are a team where our system and positioning is absolutely essential if we have any chance of winning. Look for Johnson and Mrazek to go. Both of these are complete guesses. Reinhart left the Avs game with an UBI, no news on his status yet, and both Zemgus and Ennis are also out with UBI's. Our team really needs to hit the gym Game Preview (Available now) STATS: All Stats Buffalo @ Detroit (5-4 SO loss) All Stats Buffalo @ Detroit (2-1 win) All Stats Detroit @ Buffalo (4-3 losS) All Team Rankings Team Comparison Chart Buffalo: Forwards: (Holy hell is this forward lineup just ###### brutal) 9 Evander Kane – 90 Ryan O’Reilly – 26 Matt Moulson COR – 15 Jack Eichel – 88 Jamie McGinn 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta 84 Phil Varrone – 59 Tim Schaller -17 David Legwand Defense: 47 Zach Bogosian – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 4 Josh Gorges – 46 Cody Franson 6 Mike Weber – 3 Mark Pysyk 29 Jake McCabe Johnsons: 31 Chad Johnson 40 Robin Lehner

Sabres with a quick roadie tonight. Neuvirth in net

I know it's preseason and football is on but 2 hours before the game and no GDT?

It's here!

It's finally over after tonight. Where do we go from here? After the storm is clear?

Iginla looks to continue his recent scoring surge and lead the Penguins to an eighth consecutive win Tuesday night against the last-place Sabres, who ended Pittsburgh's previous lengthy winning streak earlier this month.

Season series: This is the third and final meeting. The Jets prevailed in each of the first two showdowns and have won five straight overall in the series.