Well the Sabres snapped their 2 game skid, with a good 5-0 win against the Capitals. Now they head on the road to play in Newark against the Devils. The big news is that Martin Brodeur is hurt and will not play tonight. So no Miller Brodeur duel tonight, instead the Sabres get Kevin Weekes. Oh and Paul Martin is also out tonight. Nice, time for Vanek to get ahead of that Goal game average.
Lets talk Devils
The Devils are off to a good start, 6-2-2, and are in 2nd in the Atlantic. They have scored 30 goals this year, while only allowing 22. But of course of the year Weekes has only played 33 minutes on the season. Their defensive corp is young, for the most part, with the exceptions of Salvador and White. But guys raised in the system. Oduya, Greene and Mottau. A bunch of guys you've never heard of for the most part, but keep things locked down.
On the offensive side of things, Zach Parise is the leader on the Devils. He has 9 goals and 14 points on the year, and a +7. He is followed by Rochester Native Brian Gionta with 8 points, and Elias and Zajac with 7 points each. They aren't a high scoring team, but can get goals when they need to. And don't forget Zubaz is still on the Devils. Though their special teams aren't so hot. The Sabres have an adequate power play and with the return of Connelly, will be even better the more time he gets.
Outlook
The Sabres look back on track and are playing one of the better teams in the East, so a good win on the road would be a great way to get even more confidence back. I hope the Sabres don't just expect to win with Brodeur out, because the Devils will lock things down and take advantage of mistakes and the Sabres can make some mistakes. Its time to get back to the hockey they played in the beginning of the season and forget what happened a week ago. They need all the points they can get.
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