[open thread] Sabres @ Lightning

Time: 7:00 TV: VS Radio: WGR55

It's time to get back to the your regular scheduled program, the NHL season resumes tonight.  Tonight is a must win game for the Sabres who are going to try to prove they are a playoff team.  The Sabres will still be without Connolly and Afinogenov who are more seriously injured than we were first told.  Connolly cannot injure his hip any more than it is but will need to play through pain while Max has a partially torn groin.  Neither player will be in the lineup tonight but we should look for them to be back in the near future.  

I won't be joining the game live this evening but I will be catching it on DVR later this evening.  Feel free to have a conversation during the game so I can get evceryones thoughts on tonights contest.

Team Leaders

Buffalo Sabres

• Goals:Derek Roy 18

• Assists:Brian Campbell 29

• Points: Jason Pominville 38

• +/-: Daniel Paille +11

• PIM: Paul Gaustad, Andrew Peters 58

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Goals:Vincent Lecavalier 30

• Assists:Martin St. Louis 40

• Points:Vincent Lecavalier 66

• +/-:Michel Ouellet +6

• PIM:Shane O'Brien 101

Projected Line combinations

Buffalo Forwards
55-Hecht, 41-MacArthur, 29-Pominville
26-Vanek, 9-Roy, 21-Stafford
12-Kotalik, 28-Gaustad, 28-Paille
76-Peters, 22-Mair, 27-Ryan

Buffalo Defensemen
6-Spacek, 51-Campbell
5-Lydman, 10-Tallinder
38-Paetsch,45-Kalinin

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.