Sabres Blues Quickie preview

Well first off I just won some tickets on EBAY for this game, these games you can get em low. Mine went for 56 for 2. So me and the Fiancee are heading for the HSBC arena for some hockey action. I'm pretty excited for this one, I love seeing the odd teams, like the Blues. I saw Columbus last year and it was a terrible game, but its different. Northeast teams are boring. Western Conference teams are exciting.

Well here are the probable lines tonight, thanks to John Vogl

Thomas Vanek-Derek Roy-Ales Kotalik

Jochen Hecht-Tim Connolly-Jason Pominville

Daniel Paille-Clarke MacArthur-Maxim Afinogenov

Andrew Peters-Paul Gaustad-Adam Mair

No Kaleta or Stafford, which is fine, Peters wasn't horrible the first few games. Actually looked like a hockey player, and Kaleta is progressing as well. Stafford is just, ugh. He needs a wake up call.

For the Blues, Kariya is iffy with a foot, but the guys to look out for on the Blues are...

Andy McDonald with 16 points

Paul Kariya with 15 points

Brad Boyes with 14 Points and 8 goals

Keith Tkachuk with 11 points 9 goals

The Blues are bad in goal and bad at defense. They give up more then they score which makes sense, since they are last in the Central division. And haven't won in 3 weeks. Oh no.

Well hopefully they don't find their game tonight, because the Sabres have looked bad in the last two, especially on defense. I would look the team to be back in position, or fear their job. Because Lindy can bench guys now for lazy play. I like that option for Lindy. Also, probably Lalime tonight, which is good because my Fiancee things Miller is crap. Though I will miss her bagging on him if he let in a crappy goal.

See you at the Arena.

Sabres Blues Preview

Hey I haven't done a preview for like a week, due to my vacation. But I come back and what do I get? A game against the Blues who I know nothing about. The Blues are one of those teams I know exist, but rarely see. They are like the Giant Squid, except these guys are from St Louis and not the from deep under water.

So what are the Blues up to?

Well the Blues are much better then previous years, sitting 4th in the Western Conference with 26 points. Which isn't surprising since they have a lot of young talent mixed in with veterans. But good news for the Sabres the Blues are much better at home, then the road. Only at 4-5 on the road. And don't seem offensive with scoring only 53 times in 21 games. Less then 3 goals a game. But only haven given up 46 goals this year, lowest in the league. So tonight should be a tight close game.

Who does what

Not knowing anything about the Blues, I did a little research on the Blues website. I was a little bit surprised to see Paul Kariya leading the team in scoring, since I didn't know he played for them. He has 22 points on the season, 6 g 16 assts. Brad Boyes is second in points, but first in goals with 13 on the season. Keith Tkachuk is third on the team with 17 points. Then the team is littered with low scoring forwards and defensemen. They really don't get much offense from the blue line with Steve Wagner(who the fuck is Steve Wagner) leading them with 8 points. The real stars of the team are the net minders. The career backup Manny Legace is really having a good year with a 2.13 GAA and a .922sv%. And Hannu Toivenen, who the Sabres really liked to score on when he was on the Bruins, is even better with a 1.99 GAA and a .927 Sv%.

Anything else?

Well this game is the much heralded return of shot blocking master Jay Mckee, I always felt his shot blocking led to more goals being deflected in, but whatever. I guess its something, though hes fallen out of favor with the coach who benches him, when hes not injured.

Everyone ones favorite Doug Weight will be in attendance who is pretty much dead weight on the Blues roster, till he gets traded to a cup contender at the deadline.

Interesting tidbit Buffalo hasn't beaten St Louis at home in 12 years. Of course they don't play often so that doesn't mean much.

Um enjoy the game.