WildCard Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) 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 RankingsTeam Comparison Chart Saturday Practice report Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Bogosian already felt fine after getting stitched up on Friday night. The team remains uncertain, however, about the severity of Franson's injury beyond the fact that he will not be able to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon at First Niagara Center.On Friday, after he rushed in to clean up an Evander Kane rebound for his 18th goal of the season, he took on one more title: Sabres' leading scorer."I think it shows a lot to the support I've had," Reinhart said. "I think there's lots of guys in our locker room that can chip in, we have a lot of depth in that sense, and I think at any given time anyone can be a guy who puts the puck in the net."A couple of Sabres are hot on his tail. Eichel and O'Reilly have 17 goals each, Kane has 16 and, after a two-goal performance on Friday, Jamie McGinn has 14. Eichel's on a particularly hot streak of his own, dishing two assists on Friday to extend his point-streak to four games (1+4) and giving him 27 points in his last 27 games (8+19)."I don’t know what it is," Eichel said of his continued improvement. "I can probably say a lot of things. I think just my attitude has changed overall, I come to the rink a lot happier every day and I'm just trying to enjoy everything and that's what you should do." Forwards:9 Evander Kane – 23 Sam Reinhart - 56 Justin Bailey28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 88 Jamie McGinn 82 Marcus Foligno – 22 Johan Larsson – 12 Brian Gionta44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 26 Matt MoulsonDefensemen:4 Josh Gorges, 55 Rasmus Ristolainen,29 Jake McCabe, 47 Zach Bogosian,3 Mark Pysyk, 6 Mike Weber46 Cody Franson, 25 Carlo ColaiacovoGoalies:40 Robin Lehner31 Chad Johnson Edited February 21, 2016 by WildCard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Pull the goalie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted February 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 The forward lines are wrong, I'm way too tired to look them up. If anyone can tell me that they were last game, I'll fix them in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huckleberry Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 The forward lines are wrong, I'm way too tired to look them up. If anyone can tell me that they were last game, I'll fix them in the morning no worries, with byslma that doesn't matter anyway. afternoon game and I'm stuck at work :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallawaySabres Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 I think this is the best measuring stick game yet this season. The Sabres are play well and a good opponent comes to town. It is time for this team to take the next step and the days of going backward should be over. Would love to see a high energy, spirited victory today. Get the crowd fired up early and often... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfreeman Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Great GDT, WC, as always. On the forward lines, I think Kaner is on the top line, McGinn is on the 2nd line, Moulson in on the 4th line and Bailey is in Rochester. I'd like to see Lehner come back with another strong performance and McGinn further burnish his value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huckleberry Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Eichel with a 5 point game, book it :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Can anyone explain to me why the Pens started Zadkoff against Tampa yesterday and saved Fleury for the Sabres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkman Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Can anyone explain to me why the Pens started Zadkoff against Tampa yesterday and saved Fleury for the Sabres? Fear of the Eichel Tower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Can anyone explain to me why the Pens started Zadkoff against Tampa yesterday and saved Fleury for the Sabres? Fleury was out with an illness. Questionable for today. GO SABRES!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodbuster Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Can anyone explain to me why the Pens started Zadkoff against Tampa yesterday and saved Fleury for the Sabres?The flu. Fleury was out with an illness. Questionable for today. GO SABRES!!! Did he even travel? I heard a report that said that there was a good chance he wouldn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Oh good stuff--thanks for the answers! Now to find out whether he made the trip... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 The flu.Did he even travel? I heard a report that said that there was a good chance he wouldn't No idea. I guess that would remove any question, though. Nice to catch a tired backup goalie on the second of back to back games. GO SABRES!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetweenThePipes00 Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Pens twitter account says they have called up a goalie .. so MAF likely still sick ... https://twitter.com/penguins/status/701417422541041664 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Justin Bailey recalled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) Sabres just recalled Bailey.. Don't know the corresponding move (Franson to IR?). Assuming he didn't get the call to sit, who gets the healthy scratch? Moulson? Delo? Edit: or maybe ROR is still sick.. That would suck Edited February 21, 2016 by EichSnipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallawaySabres Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) News on Dinjuries? Edited February 21, 2016 by CallawaySabres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brawndo Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) Justin Bailey called up Edited February 21, 2016 by BRAWNDO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetweenThePipes00 Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Sabres just recalled Bailey.. Don't know the corresponding move (Franson to IR?). Assuming he didn't get the call to sit, who gets the healthy scratch? Moulson? Delo? Twitter speculation from the media crew is ROR sick ... hasn't practiced twice in a row despite playing Friday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Twitter speculation from the media crew is ROR sick ... hasn't practiced twice in a row despite playing Friday night. Ha, just edited my post because I thought of this.. Now I fear that's the case and I'm bummed. I'll be at the game and also would love to see ROR get more national showcasing today on TV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetweenThePipes00 Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Well Bylsma says it's lower-body injury for ROR ... and PIT reporter tweeted MAF is at the arena, so no idea what is going on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Buffalo Sabres @BuffaloSabres Coach Bylsma says Bailey will play; Ryan O'Reilly will be out today with a lower-body injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Do we think DB just slides Samson over to top Center and maybe moves McGinn up a line to his wing? Then Bailey can play with Eichel again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetweenThePipes00 Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) This is not good to hear ... https://twitter.com/BillHoppeNHL/status/701427196292947969 Edited February 21, 2016 by BetweenThePipes00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 This is not good to hear ... https://twitter.com/BillHoppeNHL/status/701427196292947969 No, no it is not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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