Sabres vs. Hurricanes Preview: Sabres Looking To Find Some Consistency

by Zachary Zielonka on Nov 18, 2011 10:01 AM EST

BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 14: Patrick Dwyer #39 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles for the puck with Tyler Myers #57 of the Buffalo Sabres during their NHL game at First Niagara Center October 14, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are one of those teams that you never know what you are going to get. One night they come out and play a complete game and then they go out in the next game and lay a complete egg. The Sabres are going to try and rebound after their 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.

The Sabres appear to be battling through a bunch of injuries with five players missing practice Thursday due to various ailments. The biggest injury appears to have occurred to Mike Weber, who suffered an upper body injury in Wednesday night's game. That means that T.J. Brennan is the lucky player getting the callup from the Rochester Americans. Brennan has six points in 16 games and is also a -4 during that time frame.

In net, Jhonas Enroth is coming off his worst game of the season, allowing 5 goals on 19 shots in his first regulation loss in over a year. Enroth is expected to be the starter again as Ryan Miller is out of commission for the forseeable future. With back to back games happening this weekend, the possibility exists that Drew MacIntyre may see some action in net, but he does have limited NHL action.

The Carolina Hurricanes are in a funk themselves as they have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games and also have lost their last two games. It may help though that these two teams have met once already, a 4-3 victory by the Hurricanes in the Sabres home opener. With the Hurricanes at the bottom of the conference and struggling to start this season, head coach Paul Maurice is starting to feel the heat. He had some interesting thought's on his status Thursday:

"It comes from the coach, bottom line. It's not on them," Maurice said. "We want to play a far superior team game, (and) I will ask them to individually prepare themselves. But this is now the time, in the most heat, that it's not on the captain, it's not on the players. It's on me."

Game time is 7:00 pm.

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The Canes are playing really, really bad right now

Buffalo has to control this game and come away with 2 points tonight.

Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
I got a TROPPer in the car, uhh!!

by bflo on Nov 18, 2011 11:39 AM EST reply actions

Take Maurice's statement "Its on me"

And apply it to Lindy. He is the reason we look so bad

by Winnie33 on Nov 18, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Certainly unimpressive at times

But first in the division? Second in the conference? You make it sound like we’re in last.

by Philaster on Nov 18, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Phhh

You and your “Standings”….

I’m not gonna sit here and tell everyone that this team is playing great hockey, but they are certainly capable of it, and the fact that everyone thinks the ship is sinking and we’re in first place is a testament to being able to win games ugly.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 18, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

BOTTOM 6 FORWARDS

They need to start contributing more in offense. Gerbe, Gaustad, Kaleta, Boyes, Ellis and Tropp have combined for a total of 8 goals in 18 games. The 2 1/2 men line has shown alot of gritty forechecking but they are not finishing their chances

by BUBLSRM on Nov 18, 2011 2:31 PM EST reply actions

Not to nitpick

But they’ve scored 9 goals. Gerbe (3), Boyes (2), Gaustad (1), Ellis (1), Tropp (1), Kaleta (1). Unless you’re discounting Boyes’ PP goal. They may still have a mere 8/9 goals, but are a total of +3, so I’m happy that even though they aren’t scoring, they aren’t getting scored on either (which would be much higher but Kaleta and McCormick are a combined -7. Clearly they are the ones on the long end of a shift or it’s just dumb luck, or they don’t play well with others besides their linemates, but regardless the two lines are playing well).

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 18, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

2 1/2 MEN

Gerbe is on pace to score 14 goals for the season. Kaleta and Gaustad are on pace to score 5 goals apiece. That`s if either Kaleta or Gaustad don`t get hurt and what are the chances of that happening???

I`m a big fan of this line and I think the line has played well so far. I just think that they have to score more.

by BUBLSRM on Nov 18, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

While I agree they have to score more, they are contributing on offense. They are easily our best forecheckers and have been doing the things needed to score. They will kick in in the goals department soon enough, these things work themselves out when you are playing good hockey, which they have been doing. I for one, would like to see Boyes with Goose and Gerbe instead of Kaleta for a game or two (with Adam centering Stafford-Leino) to see what could happen with a better finisher out there.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 18, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Boyes played with Goose and Gerbe when PK was suspended. I didn`t think they meshed too well. On the other hand, Boyes played with Stafford and Leino in the NJ game the other night and I thought they looked good together. I wouldn`t mind seeing that line tonight to see how they do.

by BUBLSRM on Nov 18, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

I guess that idea stems from the fact that I don’t see Adam producing much as a 4th liner, so I’d rather see him stay in the top 6 somehow. Just trying to see a way to maximize the entire roster. Interesting question though will be upcoming when Hecht and/or Ennis come back…what happens with Luke Adam? Seems to me Ennis would be a lock for a top 6 spot with Vanek, Pominville, Roy, Leino, Stafford. That leaves Adam, Gerbe, Boyes, Gaustad, McCormick, Ellis (obviously sent back down), Kaleta, Tropp and Hecht to fill the bottom 6. Assuming Gerbe-Goose-Kaleta stays together, or at the very least is a lock for 3 of those spots, as would be a healthy Hecht and Boyes, that leaves McCormick or Adam to fill the final spot. Removing McCormick leaves us a tad soft and removing Adam takes considerable talent away from the lineup. Of course this is all best-case most healthy team scenario, but it’s interesting to speculate anyways….

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 18, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Starting Goalie?

I wonder if MacIntyre will get a start this weekend? if so, tonight or tomorrow, what do you think?

by joeysimms on Nov 18, 2011 4:15 PM EST reply actions

Enroth tonight, maybe MacIntyre at home Saturday? Would be interesting, probably would depend on tonight’s outcome. I’d say if we win tonight, expect to see Mac tomorrow night. Or if it’s a blow out, maybe they pull Enroth early (assuming he doesn’t have a clean sheet going) to rest for Saturday night.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 18, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

I think well see jhonas back to back.

Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
I got a TROPPer in the car, uhh!!

by bflo on Nov 18, 2011 6:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Is Brennan expected to start? Wouldn’t Gragnani be the logical replacement for Weber or is there someone else sitting out that I’m not thinking of?

by kitaman27 on Nov 18, 2011 4:43 PM EST reply actions

I heard they called up Brennan on an emergency basis. I guess the only way he would play is if one of the defenseman got hurt.

by BUBLSRM on Nov 18, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Lindy confirmed that it was only on an emergency basis.

by Philaster on Nov 18, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

Yea I’m sure if the game was in Buffalo, with the Amerks being in Rochester also last night, there would probably be no call up considering the proximity.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Nov 19, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions