Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres GameThread, Nov 26, 2008 7:00 PM EST

Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins [Game Thread]

by David Oleksy on Nov 26, 2008 6:30 PM EST Comment 80 comments

Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres, Nov 26, 2008 7:00 PM EST

Game #21

Buffalo Sabres (9-8-3, 21PTS) vs. Boston Bruins (14-3-4, 32PTS)

7:00 PM EST, HSBC Arena

TV: MSG-B (Buffalo)

Radio: WGR 550 (Buffalo), XM 204 (National)

Listen Here

08-09 Series: 1-2-0

Enemy Blogs: Ghosts of the Garden, Here come the Bruins

It's been a rough couple of weeks for the Sabres and the Bruins have been a part of that. The Bruins beat the Sabres 7-4 last Wednesday at the TD BankNorth Garden in Boston. The Sabres jumped out to a 4-2 lead but allowed five unanswered goals to the Bruins. It was the second time the Bruins beat the Sabres this season.

The NHL has adopted a more balanced schedule this season and division opponents will meet only six time instead of eight like they did in the past. That hasn't stopped them from having these two teams play a lot in the early portion of the season. Tonight will mark the fourth time these two teams have met already this season. Ironically enough, the Sabres also conclude the season with a game against the Bruins.

Notes

Ryan Miller will be back in net for the Sabres after Patrick Lalime started against the Islanders on Saturday.
Miller was pulled from the last game between these two teams.
Max Afinogenov and Henrik Tallinder will return to the lineup after two games in the Press Box.
Daniel Paille is battling the flu and will miss tonight's game...at least that's what we're telling people! No seriously he is sick and will not play...that means that both Peters and Kaleta will play.
Nathan Paetsch will once again be a healthy scratch, after playing the previous two games.
Thomas Vanek has not scored a goal since he scored two against Boston last Wednesday
During the Sabres five game losing streak, Teppo Numminen has been a minus in every game and a minus seven overall
Don't forget to put in your SPG picks...if you haven't signed up yet there is still time...do it here.

Goalies

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Ryan Miller	16	911	8	5	2	2	39	2.57	429	390	.909	2

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Tim Thomas	14	865	9	2	3	1	26	1.80	463	437	.944	2

Injuries

Injuries: Buffalo Sabres

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Ales Kotalik	hamstring	11.15.2008

Injuries: Boston Bruins

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Andrew Ference	right leg surgery	11.15.2008

I'm not sure why he is not listed but it is certain that Tim Connolly should be on the injury list (Insert Connolly injury joke here).

{Update 6:53}

WGR550 has posted some interesting comments from Afinogenov...

You'll hear from Afinogenov in tonight's pregame with Schopp and the Bulldog. He is not happy. Jerry Sullivan asked him if he'd like to play elsewhere and Max said, "No comment." He claims Lindy Ruff has not spoken to him and he says he's very angry. He did say he plays better when he's happy.

The lines are expected to be different as well: