Shutdown Pair

Tag: Hurricanes

  • Gameday 2011-2012 – Sabres at Hurricanes

    We get Tyler Myers back tonight!  For a guy who had struggled as much as he did before getting hurt, I’m pretty excited to see him tonight.  Even when not scoring, he should be an upgrade in front of Miller.  In beating Edmonton last game, Buffalo FINALLY scored more than two goals, something they’d only done once in the previous seven games.

    The news that Ruff plans to play Miller more here on out is not really surprising.  When Enroth started to struggle just as much as Ryan, there really is no downside to seeing if more PT helps Miller get rolling.  He can always go back to the Schedule later if it doesn’t help. *shrug*

    I am 80% certain I’ll be attending the viewing party at FNC tonight, with one or two of my kids.  Should be fun, even if my son is just in it for the hot dogs and popcorn.

  • Prep Time

    The Sabres split the weekend, shutting out the Canes 1-0, while losing to the Coyotes 4-2.  Other than suffering the ignominy of allowing Biz Nasty to score, the worst news came in the third period on Saturday, when Tyler Myers didn’t return to the ice.  He’s got an ‘upper body injury’ that we should hear more about today.  He had just picked his game up after his benching (though he still had a few bad decisions) so losing him now (if indeed they do) would be tough.

    All of this becomes background noise as Wednesday approaches, and the rematch with the Boston Bruins looms.  I talked before about the likely scenarios we’ll see for that game, though we now have even more injuries that make brawls and fights even less likely.  Cody McCormick is still sitting, he’d be the most likely to go after Lucic on his own.  If Myers is out, I don’t think I’d want any defensemen to take themselves out of the play challenging Lucic (Weber or Regehr…obviously Leopold isn’t stepping in there).  So barring a Commander Cody recovery or callup cannon fodder, what we’re probably going to see is a bunch of hard hits, Kaleta-style charges, and a shit-ton of after the whistle tough-guy posturing without punches.  It’ll be annoying until the refs start tossing guys into the box to discourage it.  I’d much rather just see Buffalo win the game and keep their players upright and available for future games at this point.  Get Lucic later.  The anger will keep.

  • Gameday 2011-2012 – Sabres at Hurricanes

    It’s hard to know what to write about this team right now – that was a rough loss last game, but if Myers is going to score and go beast mode on guys, well, that I’m glad to see.  Carolina sucks so hopefully Jhonas Enroth can rebound against them.  Weber is hurt, TJ Brennan is recalled, Hecht practiced, Ennis is still non-contact (think I got all that right).

    Wins tonight and tomorrow (Enroth gets both?) would be great for putting some distance on Toronto who is struggling through injuries and questionable goaltending also.

  • Gameday 2011-2012 – Hurricanes at Sabres

    Thanks to the Sabres’ European Vacation, it’s been FOREVER since they played.  And to face off against the Hurricanes in the home opener?  Even better.  Here’s hoping they carve them up.  I’ve been sick all week so I don’t have anything else to add, other than it’ll be awesome to watch the Sabres again.

  • Sabres Win Pre-Season Opener

    It wasn’t pretty, but the Sabres got the win last night against the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1.  Gaustad and Gerbe scored in the third to take the lead and assisted on the other two goals, and Kaleta added an empty netter to seal it.  Brandon Sutter was your Canes goal scorer.  It definitely looked like a pre-season game for most of the first two periods, with Buffalo giving up chance after chance.  Jhonas Enroth (playing the second half) made some fantastic saves, and new guy Drew MacIntyre was solid.  We also had our first look at Leino in a Sabres uniform, and he looked pretty good.

    The Sabres play the Habs tomorrow night, possibly with some more of the regulars in the lineup.  I know some of the junior players are returning to their respective teams.  Hockey is back, and it feels great!

  • One

    The number you need to know is one.  One point seperates the Buffalo Sabres from the playoffs.  They can get the point themselves, either tonight or tomorrow night, or the Hurricanes or Rangers can hand it to them by losing, even in OT or the shootout.

    Of course, the much more satisfying way to do things is for the Sabres to take care of their own business and win out.  Philly (tonight’s opponent) hasn’t exactly been instilling confidence in their fans, and they had a closed-door chew-out session with their GM.  Columbus (tomorrow’s opponent) is in a tailspin of epic proportions, having only 3 wins since the beginning of March.  They will also be operating on short rest as they play Nashville tonight.  Things are stacked in the Sabres’ favor.

    Let’s see them accelerate into the playoffs.  Bust down the door against Philly, and roll that momentum forward.

  • Standing Still

    Just one of those Buffalo things, people will say.  The Sabres have put together a solid run here, going 4-1-1 in the last 6.  Vanek (3G 5A) and Stafford (5G 3A) each have 8 points during that time, and Gaustad/Gerbe/McCormick have been playing well for some secondary scoring.  And yet, they are still 8 points out of a playoff spot.  That’s the problem with being on the outside looking in – you need help.  Like I mentioned in a previous post, the Sabres can help themselves later this month with games against Boston and Montreal.  They have to keep winning other games for that to matter, though.

    Other random thoughts:

    • Wasn’t it nice hearing RJ on TV last night?  Felt so comfortable.
    • Sure wish Commander Cody got to really fight last night, was over too quick.  Really starting to like McCormick.
    • Jeff Skinner is a player.
    • I still hate Carolina.