Brawndo Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 The Sabres return home after a long road trip to face the surging Jets. Will Linus and Guhle see their first games of the year in Sabres Uniforms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsb Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) ESPN Preview: http://www.espn.com/nhl/preview?gameId=400962256 BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New year, same results for the Buffalo Sabres. Despite the change in the calendar, things remain the same for the struggling Sabres. Buffalo (10-23-9) has lost four games in a row since the start of the new year and will look to snap its losing streak against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Buffalo is coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, where center "I think he's just earned his way up," Sabres coach Phil Housley said, according to the team's website. "He's in a good spot. He's in a winning environment down there which is great for the culture of the team. It's just a great opportunity to see what he can bring to practice." "I really like his mobility obviously, but I like the stick detail that he has defensively and what he does from our goalie working out. Obviously, you look at him and he's joining the rush and he's making things happen back there." Buffalo will be without defenseman Victor Antipin, who is making his way back from a lengthy battle with the flu. "I think he's just got to work his way back in. He lost some weight, he's ill, and those things don't happen overnight," Housley said, according to the team's website. "He's going to take some time to gain some muscle, add some strength back, and right now he's just starting that. It's going to take a little bit of time for him." The Jets (25-11-7) are trending in the other direction. Winnipeg has won five of its last six games, with its only loss coming in overtime on Jan. 2 to the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets sit at the top of the Central Division with 57 points. This will mark the start of a three-game road trip, with games against Buffalo, Chicago and Minnesota. "They're a tough team," center Bryan Little said of the Sabres, according to the team's website. "They're a team that gives us some trouble. We expect the same thing in their rink. They have guys that can wheel out there, and some skilled forwards. If we go in with the same mindset where if we play tight defensively, not give them too many opportunities, and be patient with what we do, we'll be fine." Blake Wheeler leads the Jets in scoring with 50 points (14 goals, 36 assists) in 43 games. Connor Hellebuyck has a save percentage of .923 in 35 games. Winnepeg Sun Preview: http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/five-keys-to-jets-vs-sabres THE BIG MATCHUP Bryan Little vs Ryan O’Reilly These two second-line centres are responsible, two-way players and they’ll likely go head-to-head on Tuesday. O’Reilly snapped a five-game goal-less drought on Sunday, but has only four goals and eight points in 20 games against the Jets during his career. Little has a goal and three points during his past four games, but 10 goals and 23 points in 27 games against the Sabres. Keys to the game Picking up the slack Injuries are part of the game and despite being without top-line centre Mark Scheifele, who is expected to be out for six-to-eight weeks with a suspected shoulder injury, for the past four games and change, the Jets have gone 4-0-1 since the Christmas break. Strong goaltending and a balanced attack have been the keys to this recent stretch for the Jets. Offence from the back end With their top six blue-liners back together for the first time in 24 games on Sunday, the Jets got three assists from D-men Tyler Myers (two) and Jacob Trouba (one). The Jets also got a pair of goals from defencemen in Friday’s win over the Sabres, as Trouba and Dustin Byfuglien found the back of the net. PK on the rise The Jets penalty kill has been an area of concern for the past few seasons, but a slow start seems like a distant memory. By allowing only one goal during the past six games while shorthanded, the Jets efficiency has increased to 81.5% on the season, which moved them to 12th in the NHL in that department. The Sabres feature the worst power play in the NHL. Making it count Although he was limited to fewer than five minutes of ice time on Sunday, Jets winger Marko Dano scored for the second time in four games after missing 30 in a row as a healthy scratch. Dano’s nifty redirection proved to be the game-winner in a 4-1 victory, but he was left out of the rotation as head coach Paul Maurice cut down to three lines for the final 10 minutes. Kane is able Former Jets left-winger Evander Kane has put together an impressive season for the Sabres, chipping in 16 goals (to lead his team) and 35 points (second on team and one point behind Jack Eichel) in 42 games. Kane has only one assist in four games against the Jets, but is going to be one of the most sought-after power forwards prior to the NHL trade deadline. LET'S GO BUFFALO VS Edited January 9, 2018 by jsb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfreeman Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Feels like a bloodbath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 I don't wanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) I can't. I will. Cue it up — "First game home after a trip..." Edited January 9, 2018 by PASabreFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabres Fan in NS Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Must win!! Have they said who was going to be in the net for the Sabres? GO SABRES!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattPie Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 What are the odds the Sabres can keep the season series to under 10 GA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swedesessed Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 5-2 Winnipeg. And it won't even be that close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Feels like a bloodbath. Good thing the team doesn't care anymore, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brawndo Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Both Lehner and Antipin on the ice this AM, both listed as day to day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 I can't. I will. Cue it up — "First game home after a trip..." But it was only a 3 game roadtrip, so the "away from home, 1st game back" hangover shouldn't be in play. <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pi2000 Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Lehner starting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brawndo Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Benoit Pouliot will be scratched tonight. Same for Gorges, Falk, and Antipin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Why did they call Ullmark up if he isn't going to play? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabres Fan in NS Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Why did they call Ullmark up if he isn't going to play? I think they trade Lehner 'in game' and pull him out of there. So, they need a body available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brawndo Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Housley said Guhle may see some power play time. Per Hamilton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsb Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Why did they call Ullmark up if he isn't going to play? Probably as a safeguard in case Lehner wasn't able to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Probably as a safeguard in case Lehner wasn't able to go. What? Why? Why not Vinz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTS Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 What? Why? Why not Vinz? His music career took off when he partnered with Nico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 His music career took off when he partnered with Nico. That's how you know you up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brawndo Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Mason in net let the backup parade begin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsb Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 What? Why? Why not Vinz? His music career took off when he partnered with Nico. Thanks, I was thinking he was hitting the Jameson a little early this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Buffalo Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) Thanks, I was thinking he was hitting the Jameson a little early this morningNo we play friday brewster beer league :). Wait??? how would you know? Edited January 9, 2018 by Kottbullar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Thanks, I was thinking he was hitting the Jameson a little early this morning Always a good option. But seriously, on a team that's not going anywhere, let's say Lehner couldn't play and they went with The Big Johnson. Why not dress Ryan Vinz as the backup and let Ullmark stay in Rochester and play? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthEbriate Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Oh no! We're showcasing Ullmark and Guhle! It's OK, Guhle is all: Right now I feel I could take on the whole Empire NHL myself. Just don't tell him what happens next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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