Sabres Lightning Preview

Hey its the Lightning again! Whoopee! The joke of the NHL, comes into town tonight with 1 win in their last 14 games. Oh man. Thats really bad. But somehow, only 1 point from 4th place in the Southeast. Because Atlanta is just as bad. The lightning have trouble scoring. Even the big 2 have pretty average numbers for great players. Its a team in lots of turmoil and its really bad in Tampa right now. But it can't get worse right? The old coach hopes they don't win again. The current coach isn't that good. And the people they signed in the offseason really haven't helped. One of the owners is too hands on. It makes the Sabres during the Rigas years, look not too terrible. Hey they are on track for Tavares right?

Well I guess when you talk Lightning you talk about Lecavalier and St Louis. Both are the leading scorers with 24 and 22 points on the year. Vinny leads the team with 11 goals and is sporting a nice shiner delivered by one Jochen Hecht. Thats how bad the season is for the Lightning, Jochen Hecht gave their captain a black eye.

Steve Stamkos, has only 11 points on the year and is a -11 on the year. Maybe there is a reason Melrose didn't play him. He's not good enough yet. Not everyone is Sidney Crosby or Ovechkin. Mark Recchi has 15 points, Ryan Malone who might play has 12 points and Vinny Prospal has 17 points.

This team doesn't scare you offensively and with the Sabres looking to right the ship, probably want to pour it on the Lighting tonight. They could use a big time win tonight. The Lightning are just hoping they get a paycheck.


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The Sabres on the other hand, are not offensive either. But with 4 goals in their last 2 games. The touch may have come back. But would you believe the Sabres have only 3 goals from the Defense. Thats shocking. It seems most of their goals come up close. They have issues shooting from long distance. But get it in front and they can bang it in.

The are healthy at defense, getting Rivet back helped more then one would think. He is more the constant and leads the other guys to do their thing.

Really I don't have much more to say about the Sabres. We are heading into the ugh. Another hockey game zone soon. The Playoffs are way off. There is no Winter Classic to get psyched about (i mean here) And they aren't playing inspiring hockey. I guess seeing Tim Connolly in a uniform would be nice. Maybe a trade. But with the holidays things are all its all on cruise control.

Thats why stories like Ryan Miller being told to go *bleep* himself are news stories. The Bills being better sure would help too. But they are bad right now.

Game at 7pm. Could be a fun one where they win 6-1. Or lose and people get depressed again.

Its either or.

Sabres Lightning Preview

The Lightning come into town tonight, after a win on Tuesday versus the Leafs. The Sabres are licking their wounds from a 5-2 drubbing by the Senators on Monday. The Sabres owned the Lightning last year, especially Thomas Vanek who had 7 goals against the Lightning last year, including 2 hat tricks. Both teams will be looking for a win, but Buffalo looking to redeem themselves after a bad Monday night.

The Lightning

The Lightning sure haven't been electric on the scoreboard this year for sure. Their top Scorers, Prospal and Lecavalier both have 6 points. Which rather low for Vinny. Martin St Louis has 5 points and a bunch others have 3. They appear to have scrapped the run and gun style they had. Which led to some fun high scoring games, and also led to them being awful. I guess Barry Melrose saw they had no defense and made everyone play back a bit. Steven Stamkos isn't off to a Calder season quite yet, with 1 point in 8 games and is a -3. I guess the NHL is quite the jump from Sarnia.

But lucky for them they have Mike Smith in net, who has stellar numbers for seeing a lot of rubber. He is seeing about 37 shots a game. And has a 2.11 GAa and a .942 Sv%. He is the one in the Saw Mask. I haven't seen corporate synergy like that since Disney owned the Ducks. It would be like if Tom Golisano had Ryan Miller wear a Joe Mesi mask, for the upcoming election. And sure he came to the owner about it. RIIIIIGHT.

The fact that 2 defensemen have played 8 games this far, would concern me if I were a lightning fan. And who I have back there would also concern me.

Sabres

Well the Sabres suffered their first regulation loss on Monday. But its not the cause of concern, rather their players going after the other team in the locker room might be more of a concern. They get Gaustad back tonight and Rivet and Tallinder are back skating, so the days of Nathan Paetsch are numbered, who hasn't played bad, but I'd rather have Tallinder in there. So the team is getting healthier heading into november, where they need to stock up points before the eventual 10 games where they are downright terrible.



Well it should be an interesting game, the Lightning are giving up shots, but Mike Smith is keeping them in the game. I don't think Kolzig will play, but if he does, look out Thomas Vanek might go off again and put himself in the double digit goal totals.

Sabres Lightning preview

Oh its the late March Sabres vs Lightning showdown. Man if this was the old days, you could probably get this game for 5 bucks a ticket. Now since the Sabres are decent and buzz worthy, you gotta pay full price. LAME! But its a big game for the Sabres. They need to win to keep pace with the Bruins, Flyers, Capitals and Panthers. They have played well the last two games and of course what do they get? A couple days off to get lazy again and feel all good about themselves. But who knows they might come out with the spirit of Pat Kaleta and just kick ass and take names later. Make Vinny Lecavalier beg for mercy. The Lightning are one of those teams floundering this year only to get stronger next year, maybe. They are kinda hot coming in on a 3 game win streak and Mike Smith, has only given up one goal in 2 games. And they also are coming in off a break, so both teams will be rusty. Mike Smith since acquired is only 3-5 as the starter. And given up 22 goals in those 8 games. Not bad numbers, but he hasn't seen the Sabres so they might have an advantage.

The 'Ning

Since the trade of Vinny Prospal and Mike Richards, there is a huge gap between the big 2 on this team Lecavalier has 85 points and St Louis has 77 points. The next guy is Jeff Halpern with 35 and Jussi Jokinen with 34 and they both came from Dallas. So they gave up a bit of offense at the Trade Deadline. If they didn't pick up a decent goaltender they would be in a ton of trouble. But still their defense is suspect, well beyond Ranger and Boyle. Mike Smith should be a good starter for them and if they can pick up a couple solid blueliners, they could be a team to contend with next season, especially playing in the Southleast division. Atlanta won't be good, Carolina I don't see being that strong. Washington will be the toughest team in the division.

Outlook

If the Sabres come out and punch the 'ning in the face right off the bat, I don't see them losing. But if they come out lazy and expect to win, since its Tampa, they'll lose. The Sabres aren't good enough to coast anymore. It took them long enough to realize it, but they have to come out and want to win. Its a home game, theres positive buzz again, so there should be some energy. Just let The Kaleta! loose, and things should be okay. Look out Filip Kuba, #36 is comin for you!!!!

Its just gonna be another Kaleta Collision.

Sabres Vs Lightning Preview

Hey its after the All star break and its time to lock it down for a playoff run, many are pessimistic about the team, but that thats the natural Buffalo way. When things are good we are wary, and when things are bad, we make them worse then they seem. Deflecting the pain if you will. But what we got here is a battle of the bottom feeders in the east. With Buffalo standing at 13 and Tampa dead last at 15. Though the Sabres are only 6 points out of 8th, so really they shouldn't feel too bad. A good run and things are sunny and happy at HSBC again. But both teams are rested and looking to make a move.

Whats up with the Lightning

Well things are down with the Lightning this year. The big contracts to their 3 big superstars really hasn't worked. Wait paying a couple guys a lot of money doesn't work? WHAAAAA? This has hurt them in the goaltending and defense positions. Especially at the Goaltender position where none of their goaltenders have a +.900 sv% and Johan Holmqvist, just sneaks under a 3.00 GAA. Their defensemen don't have terrible +/- liked you think, its their forwards that are atrocious. Brad Richards is a awful -25 on the season. The lightning are hurting without the services of a Dan Boyle, who just returned last week. He is their top defender and is very offensive as well. Vincent Lecavalier is so good he is even a plus on this goal giving team.

Who does what?

Lecavalier is the man in Tampa, with 66 points on the year. Also leading in goals with 30. Martin St Louis is the main setup man with 40 assists on the year. Vaclav Prospal and Brad Richards should also be looked out for, Prospal with 46 points and Richards with 41. Though Richards is having a disappointing season with his huge contract. Mmm sounds familiar. After that its a bunch of guys filling up the roster, with only Paul Ranger in the 20 point range and the rest below that. You control the top two lines, and its over for the Lightning.

Outlook

Well the Sabres should be rested and full of confidence after beating the Stars last week. But this Sabre team is known for not continuing anything and playing lazy. The warm weather, mixed with lack of activity could spell trouble for the boys in blue and gold. But I have confidence they'll at least get a point out of tonights contest.