Buffalo Sabres Vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview: Can The Sabres Rebound From Islanders Loss

by Zachary Zielonka on Feb 15, 2011 10:01 AM EST

The Buffalo Sabres and Ryan Miller are coming off one of the worst losses of the season against the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon. Their chance to rebound comes against a team they have yet to beat this season in the Montreal Canadiens.

The big story coming out of the Islanders game was Miller's worst game of the season, allowing seven goals on 26 shots, and his subsequent meltdown to the media after the game. Ruff has said that he has a plan to keep Miller rested after starting 31 straight games but he won't actually announce who is going to start against the Canadiens today. All signs are pointing to Patrick Lalime getting the start, a start that hasn't come since November 20th. Lalime has faced the Canadiens once this season, a 3-2 loss on November 5th, where he made 29 saves on 32 shots.

EDIT: So much for that, Jhonas Enroth gets the call up to start the game tonight.

There isn't much other news on the rest of the Sabres. Drew Stafford was named the second star of the week in the NHL with two hat tricks in three games during the week. Stafford and Vanek have cracked the top 20 in the league in goal scoring and Buffalo is one of four teams to have multiple goal scorers in the top 20, thanks Ubiquitous.

The Canadiens are coming into this game losing three of their last four games, with their only win coming against the Maple Leafs. Mathieu Darche is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last two games and Carey Price is expected to be the starting goaltender for the Habs. ~~Price is 5-3-3 at the HSBC Arena in his career with a 2.22 goals against average and .933 save percentage~~.

EDIT: Game isn't at HSBC tonight but Price is 3-0-1 this season against the Sabres with a 1.49 goals against average in those four games.

Game time is 7:30 pm and will be another Versus game with Gord Miller and Pierre McGuire with the call.

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Enroth to start per WGR

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 15, 2011 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Montreal Assured of Win

With Enroth in the net for the Sabres, the Canadiens have no worries. Enroth is a good AHL goalie, but lacks the athletic ability to be an NHL goalie.

I predict and easy win for Montreal.

For the remainder of the season, teams vieing to make the playoffs or jocking for position in the playoffs will find the Sabres an easy win. HBSE will be a friendly place for the opposition.

by Geolover on Feb 15, 2011 11:43 AM EST reply actions

Game’s not at HSBC; it’s in Montreal. And Enroth is very athletic – he’s just small compared to some of the giant goalies out there today.

Montreal is coming off of a skid where they have lost three of four. How can you say they’ll win easily?

by krytime on Feb 15, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

Enroth is 2-2-1, and one of those losses he got 0 goal support, and oh yeah, the Pens had Crosby and Malkin unlike now. He got shelled in Boston, when the Sabres were at one of their lowest points and playing terrible. Other than that, he gave the team a chance to win.

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by TheTick on Feb 15, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Where the fuck is HBSE?

All your tshirt needs.
Twit wit, minus actual wit.

by twoeightnine on Feb 15, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

what about last week in TB?

Easy win? Come on geolover, you sound ridiculous.

by Matty_Dubs on Feb 15, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

Idiotic post is idiotic.

"Who else but Chris Drury!" - 2007
"Who else but...... um... yea.. about that.." 2010

by FloridaBuffalo on Feb 15, 2011 5:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

I’m actually excited to see enroth let’s see what’s he’s got

by manic hispanic on Feb 15, 2011 12:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Me too.

Im glad they are sitting Miller tonight. Not because I think he needs rest, but because hes played like shit over the past 3 games and deserves to be benched. I hope Jhonas plays awesome tonight.

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 15, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Enroth has decent, not great numbers in the AHL so far this season. I have no doubt he gives us a better chance to win than Lalime though.

Also, we have beaten the Habs this year – the last time we played, 2-1 in OT.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 15, 2011 1:23 PM EST reply actions

Broad Street blog

Also, wondering if you want to link to this post currently up on Broad Street Hockey. They go into some depth on Miller’s season and the recent controversy. Thought it was pretty interesting.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 15, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the link. That was an interesting read and analysis, especially coming from an impartial source, about Miller.

"I don’t understand why so many actually do believe in [Fitz]. Because he had a surprising season, threw a handful of TD’s and was better than the previous pile of manure the Bills put in at QB? That’s not good enough" - K

by willgarr15 on Feb 15, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, you have to realize that Miller basically put up an impossible season last year.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon
D.O. on twitter: Drew Stafford has two hat tricks (in the past three games), ON SIX SHOTS.

by Ubiquitous on Feb 15, 2011 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

Great find Frank

This’ll definitely be in the links post tomorrow.

As for Miller’s season last year, it wasn’t impossible. The only number way above his career norm was his power play save percentage – and how much of the penalty kill dropoff this year can we attribute to the loss of Tallinder and Lydman? I really enjoyed that article and might write up a full article based on how much discussion is generated around it.

by Andy Boron on Feb 15, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

almost hoping for enroth to fail

Because I really don’t want to hear the knee-jerk reactions crying for miller to be traded/cut because enroth is the future. A 6-5 win would be ideal as far as I’m concerned. Also, don’t understand why lalimes not playing. He’s gotta be more rested than enroth and his nhl life would be pretty much riding on a good game.

by lgbfromoregon on Feb 15, 2011 4:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Maybe Lalime’s hip issues are back and he just isn’t in any shape to play.

by JSCoope on Feb 15, 2011 4:38 PM EST reply actions

So this is on VS tonight? 7:30 eastern?

by JSCoope on Feb 15, 2011 5:47 PM EST reply actions

Yep

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 15, 2011 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

Is this the plan for the rest of the season?

Miller plays until time for a rest, Sabres call up Enroth? Send him back when Miller back in?

The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts. by Steve_Chiefs.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 15, 2011 5:49 PM EST reply actions

I think so.

Lalime will always be on the bench… if Miller aint in, its gotta be Enroth. If Ruff doesnt trust him now, when will he?

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 15, 2011 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

EDIT

Love that most recent correction

by Blake Ward on Feb 15, 2011 7:03 PM EST reply actions

Spacek is out for the Habs. Nash, called up today, is in.

Kevin van Steendelaar

http://www.twitter.com/kvansteendelaar

but don't forget...

http://www.twitter.com/HabsEOTP

by Kevin van Steendelaar on Feb 15, 2011 7:10 PM EST reply actions

Per Lindy Ruff

Lalime may go to Portland for conditioning like he did last year. Ruff also said no decision has been made about Enroth past tonight.

Kevin van Steendelaar

http://www.twitter.com/kvansteendelaar

but don't forget...

http://www.twitter.com/HabsEOTP

by Kevin van Steendelaar on Feb 15, 2011 7:15 PM EST reply actions

Miller will start tomorrow against the Leafs because Lindy Ruff likes tormenting the Leafs.

On the Mike Weber bandwagon
D.O. on twitter: Drew Stafford has two hat tricks (in the past three games), ON SIX SHOTS.

by Ubiquitous on Feb 15, 2011 7:29 PM EST up reply actions

I'm liking Enroth this season

I just wish that our transition game didn’t suck the big one. How many times have we seen the sabres own the offensive zone, have one turnover, guy streaks down, does a drop pass in the slot, and a goal from someone who should have been covered by an offenseman?

Be nice to actually see that not blow. I feel like that’d help pad Miller’s stats for sure, since he doesn’t have to play up at the blue line to make up for his offense not coming back to pick up those rebounds.

Enjoys long walks on the beach, Molson Canadian, and making the playoffs.

by AcesNines on Feb 15, 2011 7:38 PM EST reply actions