Sabres Thrashers Preview

Today is a special day for me, since its the 1st anniversary of me and my Fiancee's first date. So we'll be downtown at a local establishment. There was a Sabre game that night too. A OT win over the Boston Bruins. (had to look that up) So I probably won't watch much of this one either, the only thing I have to worry about is the pre hockey crowd. Which wasn't bad the last time, but its Friday, not Wednesday, so i got two factors. Anyhow, onto the game.

The Thrashers

The Thrashers are a good scoring team, they are also a bad defensive team. Which leads to scoring 34 goals on the year and letting in 49 on the year, which is bad. Letting in a lot of goals also leads to a 4-7-2 record, but are on a 2 game win streak. And the fact they played last night in Atlanta and had to come back against the Islanders, means they are probably a bit tired. Oh and the Sabres are rested. Plus Jochen is back. Predicting a shooting gallery tonight, would be like predicting Obama would win, pretty easy by looking at the facts.

Ondrej Pavalec has won the last two games, but it looks like Lehtonen is healthy. So he might get a start, a change from the parade of backups the Sabres usually see. Lehtonen's numbers are a tad shaky for the season, 2-5-2 3.44 GAA and a .903 Sv%. On that hand why not start the hot hand. Wait, Lehtonen is starting since being out with the Flu and back issues. GET HIM AWAY FROM TIM CONNOLLY!!!!!!

You would think Kovalchuk is the leading scorer or at least the top goal scorer on the Thrashers. But you would be wrong. 4th in points (10) and 3rd in goals (5). So he hasn't got going this year, and if I were him looking to get shipped out. Todd White has the most points (14) and Slava Kozlov leads with 8 goals. Bryan Little who I never heard of, until this year is having quite the start of the year with 6 goals and 11 points and a +5, on a team full of minus players. Ron Hainsey is looking like a nice pickup, for the points hes putting up on the team, but he'll be playing lots of minutes with the injuries to Schneider and Bogosian. The team looks to be two lines, then not much else.

Outlook

I'm guessing Miller gets the start tonight and then Lalime tomorrow in Boston. I guess to keep the shutout string going. Jochen finally comes back tonight and haven't seen what they have done with the excess spot. I agree with Vogl to send Stafford to the minors. He has been downright invisible most nights. He's great in the shootout, since he copied Kotalik. Maybe it will wake him up, or it just sets up him getting shipped out. I bet you could get a nice vet, for Staffy and Max. Or just get picks and pull up a Mancari or Gerbe. Well the Sabres are just dealing with a Surplus right now. And with Hecht back, I'll look for Pominville and Roy to get better. Well my outlook is a nice night out with the Fiancee. For the Sabres a high scoring affair thats entertaining for the fans.

Bad Defense+healthy team= Obama like blowout

Sabres Thrashers Preview

My my how things change in a week, from this team is dead, to well if they just play pretty well and get on a roll they could do some things. The Sabres are riding a 3 game win streak into the ATL tonight, to take on a team they demolished a couple weeks ago in the Thrashers. But those thrashers are all upset, because some guys were laughing at them. Maybe they weren't laughing at you and they were laughing at themselves for how terrible they were up to that game. But the Sabres continue to march through the Southleast, as this is the 2nd to last game on this long road trip, it winds down with a game in Boston on Tuesday.

Well whats up Atlanta?

Since the 10-1 drubbing by the Sabres the Thrashers have gone 1-2-1, so really it didn't wake up them or anything. And the biggest story is the loss of Kovalchuk for the next couple games, good for the Sabres, bad for the Thrashers, because he is far and away the most dangerous thing they have. Currently the Thrashers are sitting right behind the Sabres in 12 with 52 points on the season. Though they have played 3 more games then the Sabres. These games are very critical for both teams, since every point matters and you can lose track of those ahead of you, before its too late.

So who might do what

With the absence of My Kovalchuk, the pressure falls onto Mr Hossa who is having a decent year with 46 points, but yet a -15. So when he is on the ice offense happens. Atlanta has a bunch of other guys who can contribute, like Eric Perrin, Todd White, Tobias Enstrom and Mark Recchi, yes he still plays. Slava Kozlov and Bobby Holik are also on the Thrashers, making them full of overpaid veterans. Well tonight word is Johan Hedberg gets the nod in net, his numbers are less then spectacular, but your's would be too if you have Atlanta's defense in front of you. Atlanta always seems to me like that fantasy team, picked by a guy who thinks they know what they are doing, but have no clue. Spend all the money on a big offensive weapon, then spend more on guys who produced before (they'll get better again!), then fail to get a good defense and lose shootouts, rather then hard fought games.

Outlook

The Sabres have been tough to predict lately. The last few games they've showed tough play, heart, playing the basics. One might think tonight they take a night off, but not playing till Tuesday, they really can go full out before getting a mini rest. I think Atlanta will come out firing tonight since they were embarrassed last time. But the Sabres are slowly getting their confidence back and Ryan Miller is playing really well. But I can't pick a winner, but I'd expect a closer affair.

Sabres Thrashers Preview

Here we go again, the Sabres trying to break the streak of winlessness now at 10 games. This must just suck in the locker room. Guys going man we're better then this right? RIGHT? Playing right now must not be fun what so ever. I know we get these huge checks, but it ain't worth it now man. Holy crap its cold, we're losing and we can't score. People are making fun of us right now. (This is what I think they think about) But all that can change with a big game tonight one of those 8-1 wins that just shake everyone out of the doldrums and with the Sabres going on the road for 7 straight games a win is must needed or things could get real bad. If things aren't bad already.

Whats going on with the Thrashers

Well the Thrashers since the New year have gone 4-2-2 so basically 500, but had a huge 5-1 win over the Red Wings at Joe Lewis on Tuesday and are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to Montreal yesterday, so the Thrashers could be tired and not at full strength tonight. And coming off the plane from Atlanta into todays weather doesn't make those aches and pains any better. On the year Atlanta is 3rd in the conference and leading the Southeast, but Carolina who is 1 point back and in 1oth place in the conference. So the winner of the Southeast makes the playoffs 2nd place does not. Not the best division in hockey right now. Plus Atlanta gives up WAY more goals then they score, standing at a -18 goal differential compared to Buffalo's -1.

Who does what for the Thrashers

Well it all ends and starts with the two all starts Kovalchuk and Hossa. Two big weapons for the Thrashers. Ilya is having a big year already with 37 goals and 63 points, yet still a -7. Hossa a big back but has 20 goals and 43 points. Todd White (30) Eric Perrin (28) and Tobias Enstrom(28) are lagging behind the others, but still offensive threats. Defense isn't a top priority for Atlanta but old pal Alexei Zhitnik is still a Thrasher, which is too bad for him. Looks like Lehtonen is in net tonight and having a alright year, looks like he is getting shelled nightly though. A high 2.86 GAA but a decent .913 sv%.

Outlook

Well the Sabres are running into a tired team, playing their third game in 4 nights. Roy is back in the lineup tonight but Connolloy, Spacek and Max are not. What no Peters? Ohhhh, thats too bad. More Kaleta and MacArthur. Thats what I need. I've been expecting some offense for a while, but why should I expect it now. But I'll be watching the game at Staples, so if you would like to join me come on by its on Allen across from Nietzsche's. I'll be a little mopey though since the girlfriend is going away for a week. But its fun times.