[open thread] Sabres @ Lightning

Time: 7:30 TV: MSG(HD) Radio: WGR55

Sabres Notes:

Earned their first road win of the season last night against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Florida...Ryan Miller is 7-1-0 with a 2.23 GAA against Tampa in his career...Jocelyn Thibault may get a start tonight and is 12-4-2 with a 2.41 GAA all time against Tampa...rank 13th in the league in both power play and penalty killing...1-for-5 on the power play last night against Florida with the goal scored by Ales Kotalik...

Lightning Notes:

Have not lost at home this season sporting a perfect 5-0 record...outscoring opponenets 21-8 at home...Vaclav Prospal leads the team with eight goals after scoring only 14 last season...Johan Holmqvist has never played against the Sabres in his career but is expected to start tonight...#5 on the power play and 10th on the penalty kill this season

Fast Fact:

The Sabres haven't lost a game in Tampa in over three years
 

Team Leaders

Buffalo Sabres

• Goals:Derek Roy, Jason Pominville 5

• Points: Brian Campbell, Tim Connolly 10

• +/-: Brian Campbell +5

• PIM: Paul Gaustad 13

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Goals: Vaclav Prospal 8

• Points: Brad Richards 11

• +/-: Paul Ranger, Filip Kuba +5

• PIM: Vincent Lecavalier 24

Projected Line combinations

Buffalo Forwards
26-Vanek, 9-Roy, 61-Afinogenov
55-Hecht, 19-Connolly, 29-Pominville
12-Kotalik, 28-Gaustad, 21-Stafford
20-Paille, 22-Mair, 76-Peters

Buffalo Defensemen
44-Sekera, 51-Campbell
5-Lydman, 10-Tallinder
34-Weber,38-Paetsch

Goaltenders
30-Miller, 35-Thibault

As per usual this thread is meant to spur conversation and create a Buffalo Sabres community.  If you're watching the game you might as well join us and chat a little bit.  I highly recommend you create a free account and grab a beer and join us for some good conversation.