[open thread] Sabres @ Senators

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

The Sabres come in having lost seven straight including a shootout loss in New Jersey.     The Sabres find themselves more and more shorthanded everyday.  The Sabres will be without Derek Roy, Max Afinogenov, Daniel Paille and now Tim Connolly.  It is a stiff test to beat the Senators with all of these guys in the lineup it will be even stiffer without four regular players.  If that wasn't enough, Lindy Ruff has decided to give Jocelyn Thibault a rare start.  We all remember the last time Thibault started a game, a 7-2 loss at Los Angeles.  Thibault did play decent last Friday when he replaced Miller against Ottawa, although the two goals he allowed were kind of soft.

Team Leaders

Buffalo Sabres

• Goals:Jochen Hecht 14

• Assists: Tim Connolly,Brian Campbell, Jason Pominville 24

• Points: Jason Pominville 34

• +/-: Daniel Paille +8

• PIM: Paul Gaustad, Andrew Peters 53

Ottawa Senators

• Goals:Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley 25

• Assists:Jason Spezza 37

• Points:Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley 55

• +/-:Dany Heatley +32

• PIM:Chris Neil 98

Projected Line combinations

Buffalo Forwards
55-Hecht, 41-MacArthur, 29-Pominville
26-Vanek, ?????, 12-Kotalik
21-Stafford, 28-Gaustad,37-Ryan
76-Peters, 22-Mair, 36-Kaleta

Buffalo Defensemen
6-Spacek, 51-Campbell
5-Lydman, 10-Tallinder
45-Kalinin,4-Pratt

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.