Porous Five Hole Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 (edited) A rematch from the game of the year on March 8th and it couldn’t come at a better time. “A game where there was a lot of intensity last time,” added coach Lindy Ruff, “and maybe it’s exactly what we need right now.” Though officially heading to the playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves in a 2-3-2 slump that’s been defined by slow starts and subpar defensive play. It figures to be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. He started the three previous games before Saturday and went 2-1-0 with a .917 save percentage. Luukkonen has also won both appearances versus the Lightning this season. The Lightning are without captain Victor Hedman, who’s on long-term injured reserve for personal reasons. And 35-goal scorer Brandon Hagel, the main agitator in the previous matchups, has missed Tampa Bay's last two games with an injury. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/how-to-watch-buffalo-sabres-tampa-bay-lightning-preview-x1094 Edited April 6 by Porous Five Hole 2 1 Quote
OverPowerYou Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 Game 1 of our 8 game series coming up with the lightning 1 Quote
inkman Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 Less than thrilled Hagel is out. That dude still needs about 15 face punches, 5 spears to the junk and a nice slew foot mixed in to balance the ledger. i don’t think I’ve flipped stances on a player like him. I was mad at the Sabres forever for not signing EXACTLY THE KIND OF PLAYER WE NEEDED, now I’m furious this dude breathes the same air I breath. He needs to face retribution. I’d like to see a broken limb or face. I like players who play with an edge but the liberties he didn’t have to pay for at all need atonement. Very disappointing that he’s not in the lineup. Hopefully, next time the Sabres play the Ning, he’ll be available to take out. 7 2 Quote
CallawaySabres Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 I think tonight's game will really tell A LOT about how these playoffs are going to go. Both teams will be playing at their highest capability and we shall see if buffalo can handle the test physically and emotionally. Usually after an epic game, the rematch tends to look a lot different. I expect a very physical game with maybe one fight sprinkled in there. I am going with Buffalo in a 4-2 win that includes an empty-nettter. 3 Quote
PASabreFan Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 Just now, CallawaySabres said: I think tonight's game will really tell A LOT about how these playoffs are going to go. Both teams will be playing at their highest capability and we shall see if buffalo can handle the test physically and emotionally. Usually after an epic game, the rematch tends to look a lot different. I expect a very physical game with maybe one fight sprinkled in there. I am going with Buffalo in a 4-2 win that includes an empty-nettter. I don't think this game will come close to resembling March 8. Can we just get to April 18 already? 2 Quote
Stads Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 I think this team needs a game with some "juice". They have been sleepwalking for the past week or so. I need to see Hagel get something done to him. Let your mind wander as to what that could mean. I'm okay if someone needs to take a penalty or two to send a message 1 Quote
Kristian Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 No Hagel? Take out Kucherov instead, make sure he misses the post-season. 5 Quote
Stads Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 16 minutes ago, Stads said: I think this team needs a game with some "juice". They have been sleepwalking for the past week or so. I need to see Hagel get something done to him. Let your mind wander as to what that could mean. I'm okay if someone needs to take a penalty or two to send a message I see that Hagel is not playing so ignore my wants for this game. As the above post states, I guess turn your attention towards Kucherov. A message needs to be sent gosh darn it! Quote
SabresBaltimore Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 As an out of towner, really hoping NHLN has the MSG-B coverage. I think they typically use the home team coverage and replace the pre/post game and intermission content with their own people. At least was the case the last few NHLN games. Quote
SabresBaltimore Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 Meanwhile this is ominous, hopefully just a vet rest thing or a personal matter keeping him away this morning but good for tonight. 1 Quote
SabresBaltimore Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 1 hour ago, Porous Five Hole said: It figures to be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. He started the three previous games before Saturday and went 2-1-0 with a .917 save percentage. Luukkonen has also won both appearances versus the Lightning this season. 1 Quote
inkman Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 33 minutes ago, Kristian said: No Hagel? Take out Kucherov instead, make sure he misses the post-season. Some fans may think this is excessive or unsportsmanlike but Tampa will undoubtedly try to injure Ras, Tage and any good players on the Sabres. Buffalo needs to fight fire with fire. Be preemptive, take out their guys first. I want the Sabres to be called dirty. 5 1 Quote
pi2000 Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 after back to back regulation losses this has the feel of a must win it's not tho, which feels weird to say 1 Quote
pi2000 Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 my source says Tage was excused so he could act as grand marshall for the dyngus day parade 1 5 Quote
Trettioåtta Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 Tampa know how to get it done when it matters. This win gives them the division basically. Plus revenge for embarrassment of last game. 7-2 thrashing inbound 1 Quote
LGR4GM Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 1 minute ago, Trettioåtta said: Tampa know how to get it done when it matters. This win gives them the division basically. Plus revenge for embarrassment of last game. 7-2 thrashing inbound You realize these are contradictions, correct? 1 Quote
steveoath Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 12 minutes ago, LGR4GM said: Stanley Schenn will get eaten alive by Tampa Awful Quote
Taro T Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 12 minutes ago, LGR4GM said: Stanley Schenn will get eaten alive by Tampa Kozak ain't centering the top line. Thompson will presumably be available tonight. Stanley Schenn will get sheltered minutes and be available for the rough stuff. 5 1 Quote
Trettioåtta Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 16 minutes ago, LGR4GM said: You realize these are contradictions, correct? I don't think the last game particularly mattered to them 1 Quote
Pimlach Posted April 6 Report Posted April 6 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kristian said: No Hagel? Take out Kucherov instead, make sure he misses the post-season. Someone needs to run him. If they can run Dahlin then Kucherov is fair game. There will be at least one fight tonight because Stanley is playing and I expect Sabourin to challenge him. For all the whining about 2 losses in a row, this game couldn't come soon enough for me. Carrick is out, I want to see Dunne over Kozak. Schenn is the line up. I hope he has more PIM than TOI. Edited April 6 by Pimlach 1 4 Quote
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