Game 4 Preview: Red Wings vs. Sabres

by Zachary Zielonka on Oct 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT

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.

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.

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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