Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Which Players Will Join The 3,000-Hit Club?

Game 4 Preview: Red Wings vs. Sabres

For a team that has only scored four goals in three games, this team is inspiring many a fan.  The inspiration has come from a defensive minded team that has allowed three goals in those three games.  Ryan Miller has been red hot in goal where in three games Miller has a .98 GAA and .955 SV%.  The offense also has had their fair share of chances in the first three games, they lead the league in shots/game with 38.7.   This team is inspiring the fanbase and giving hope for a possibly good season by taking five out of a possible six points. 

In terms of the team, the Sabres still will not face roster issues with Andrej Sekera leaving Saturday's game with a rib injury that looks to keep him out of the lineup for a few weeks.  Replacing Sekera in the lineup will be Toni Lydman who makes his first start of the season.  Sekera had struggled a little in his first three games and Lydman should be able to easily replace him in the lineup.  

Star-divide

The Red Wings are suffering their fair share of issues to start the season as well.  After dropping their first two games in Sweden, the Wings came back and won their next two.  In the process, they lost one of their top players in Johan Franzen for four months with a torn ACL.  They are also injuring themselves in practice with Kirk Maltby and Justin Abdelkader running into each other with Maltby suffering a deep thigh bruise.  

This game should be a true test for the Sabres.  The Red Wings are high class team that can create chances at any moment and are fair more dangerous than the last three teams the Sabres have played.  If this team cannot find the back of the net, they will run into serious trouble against this high powered offense.

Keys To The Game

Sabres:  Keep creating chances.  While the Red Wings are good at creating chances and can find the back of the net, if this Sabres team keeps taking shots at the net they eventually have to find the back of the net more than once right?

Red Wings:   Outchance the Sabres.  The Sabres still can't be this hot on defense and forechecking and backchecking.  They will have to falter at some point and the Red Wings have to capitalize on those chances if they are going to be able to win this game. 

Comment 10 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

lines

judging by how the players played the first 3 games i would be interested to see the sabres lineup shuffled into this combination
vanek kennedy stafford
mcarthur roy connoly
greer hect pomminville
ellis gaustad kaleta

by 4honors on Oct 13, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions  

Connolly will probably stay at center. It’s his natural position and he was not good on the wing in the first game. Why does Lindy think that Ellis is better than Paille? I know Ellis has played well, but still

"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"

by willgarr15 on Oct 13, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why would they change the lines at all from teh last game?

by krytime on Oct 13, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

No need to change the lines. All of them seem to be fitting well together and the chances have been there.

"Well, I’m always hungry and it’s time to eat" - Lynch

by bflo on Oct 13, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Sekera injury isnt going to hurt us much.. he had a few bad turnovers and hopefully Lydman can come in and play like we know he is capable of. Rest of the D just keep doing your thing because its working. The chances are there, we just gotta start finding the back of the net.. and that will come. And Miller… keep standin tall youve been great so far this year. Keep riding the momentum

"Well, I’m always hungry and it’s time to eat" - Lynch

by bflo on Oct 13, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions  

Should be a smooth transition

from turnover-prone Sekera to turnover-prone Lydman

"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"

by willgarr15 on Oct 13, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

haha from a young turnover machine to one thats been doin it for a while ;-)

"Well, I’m always hungry and it’s time to eat" - Lynch

by bflo on Oct 13, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wish we could have a Flames fan come in and give us some insight on how the Montador-Lydman pairing faired in the 03-04 season.

by Antkowiak on Oct 13, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Not sure how much they played together

Going from pure statistics, this is how it breaks down:
Lydman 67GP, 4G, 16A, 30PIM, +6
Montador 26GP, 1G, 2A, 50PIM, -1
In the playoffs:
Lydman 6GP, 1A, 2PIM
Montador 20GP, 1G, 2A, 6PIM
At the most, they could have played 32 games together that season including the playoffs

"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"

by willgarr15 on Oct 13, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

No game thread? :(

by Afino on Oct 13, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Buffalo Sabres. It is the most interactive Sabres site on the web.

Community Guidelines

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Mets002_small
Media 101: How to create a strawman

Recent FanPosts

Small
This is ridiculous and has to stop
20091221_pauly_190x190_small
Time for MSG and Time Warner to pay!!!! My new campaign!
20091221_pauly_190x190_small
How Much Longer???
Small
Project Yeah
Small
Buffalo Sabres vs. St. Louis Blues Gamethread
Small
A Look at the 2012-2013 Buffalo Sabres and Beyond
Small
Well, I guess its time to talk Draft intrigue
Small
Can we be realistic, just for one minute? Part 1
40476_428991963976_749148976_4818529_413582_n_small
Trade Time!!!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Twitter Box


Editor-in-Chief

Headshot_small Zachary Zielonka

Hamstergolfhd4_small Andy Boron

Writers

Dopic_small David Oleksy

211_talking_proud_1_small krytime

Kovy_small Rafal Ladysz

Gilles-gratton_small bgred105

Krishawaii_small Kristopher Settle

Me_small riverssyr

Mechanic_small Calvin

Sabres_small Terry V

Sbnation_picture_small Ned Naukam