Daily Links for Friday, January 6

by Andy Boron on Jan 6, 2012 6:12 AM EST in Daily Links

Happy Friday, folks! Hopefully the Sabres can make it even happier tonight as they go for their first two-game winning streak since the lockout.

Hurricanes hope to even home mark against Sabres - NHL.com
Much was expected of the Sabres this season after their late push to the playoffs and near-elimination of the Flyers in a first-round series last spring, but they're still struggling to find their footing and currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hurricanes remain in last, but they're starting to pick up points on a more regular basis and could even their record at home by winning Friday.

Buffalo's goal: Two wins in a row - The Buffalo News
The quest for a winning streak continues.

Miller ready to make historic charge - The Buffalo News
Ryan Miller is four victories away from breaking Dominik Hasek's franchise record of 234 wins by a Buffalo Sabres goaltender. That gives Miller a great number to shoot for in a year his numbers are basically shot.

Three goals, secondary scoring and the key to wins - 3rd Man In
When the Sabres score at least 3 goals, they usually win. When they let up three goals, they usually lose. Some simple yet effective analysis.

SCHOPP: Time For Hard Choices - WGR 550
For at least the third time this NHL season the Internet is buzzing with talk of whether the Anaheim Ducks are going to trade away a star player. This may be is the most talk about the Ducks since they arrived and named themselves after a kids movie.

Clicks and Clippings: Muller mixing it up - Canes Country
Get caught up with the recent news from tonight's opponent.

NHL All-Star Game 2012: First 6 Players Selected, Dominated By Host Senators - SBNation.com
The Ottawa Senators will host the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, and fans of the team stuffed the ballot box to vote in four players among the first six All-Stars.

Is Hitting Leaving The Game? - Pension Plan Puppets
At Brian Burke's press conference today he complained about hitting being down in the NHL. PPP says no.

Nugent-Hopkins out three to four weeks with damaged shoulder - Edmonton Journal
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be out three to four weeks with damage to his left shoulder, which is likely separated, although they aren't saying that.

Who Do The Players Think Is The Most Underrated Player? - KuklasKorner
Loui Eriksson from Dallas leads the list.

Hockey Community Rallies Behind Injured High School Hockey Player Jack Jablonski - Hockey Wilderness
The hockey community shows its strength once again.

Bill Clinton gives the Jagr Salute at MSG - NHL.com
Former President Bill Clinton takes in the action between the Panthers and Rangers and gives a Jagr-Salute after catching a souveneir puck

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

"since the lockout"

I lol’d

by lassathrax on Jan 6, 2012 11:51 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Myers good to go tonight.

Leino and Ennis next week.

Smile.. tomorrow will be worse.

by Calvin on Jan 6, 2012 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Myers seemed to be playing a little better just before the injury (after his one game benching). Hope he gets it back. It could go a long way to inching back into the playoff race.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jan 6, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Should be a good game tonight

My ’Canes are playing better under Muller and come into the game rested. The Sabres should be hungry given their position in the standings.\

Key matchup will be our checking line, Sutter, LaRose and Bowman versus your top line. We kept Kessel off the board against Toronto. Staal has Jussi and Ruutu back on his line so look for a jump out of them.

My guess is a tight game with us ahead late…Jamie Mc(Turnover) bain gives up a puck on a loose pass and the game goes into OT. Staal scores in OT and we all go home happy. You get a point and we take the lead in the season series…..anyways Good Luck Ya’ll!

In Kirk we Trust

by Mullett on Jan 6, 2012 3:29 PM EST reply actions

I'd like to say "In your dreams" or "You're going to be crushed"

but I honestly can’t say that with any sort of confidence at the moment. I do hope to see the Canes pummeled in a dominant and embarrassing fashion. But hope is all we have, these days.

by lassathrax on Jan 6, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

With the exception of opening night we have not been “pummeled” at home this year. I would expect a close game……

In Kirk we Trust

by Mullett on Jan 6, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Nor have the Sabres pummeled any team this season. So maybe tonight is due time for it to happen, from both sides? Like I said, all I can do is hope. I’m not even expecting a win, as nice as it would be (even an ugly win, I’d take anything).

by lassathrax on Jan 6, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

I feel your pain

Being the doormat of the Eastern Conference is no fun! For some reason I have spent more money on liquor drinks this year. The only positive is the melancholy mediocre coach that was Paul Marice is gone AGAIN.

At least you can sniff the playoffs from where you guys sit.

In Kirk we Trust

by Mullett on Jan 6, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Two Words

Lottery Pick.

In today’s NHL there’s always something good about totally bottoming out. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. Might as well go out in a blaze of glory and get a top 3 draft pick.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 6, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I wish that the Sabres have done that more in their history. Would have led to more success. But even when the Sabres have sucked, they’ve been too good to be really bad, for the most part.

by Philaster on Jan 6, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I completely agree. Missing the playoffs by a couple points does nothing to move things forward for your franchise. Finishing in the bottom 3 to 5 gets you as close to a sure thing as you can get in today’s NHL and it really jump starts your rebuilding process. I envy Edmonton and their recent top picks and look forward to their future. Just as I envied Pittsburgh when they drafted Crosby, Malkin, Staal, and MAF.

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 6, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

At least the Sabres have done surprisingly well with mid-round first rounders.

Mike Weber Pressbox Incarceration Status: Free to roam the blueline.
"Ville Leino may stink but he’s still way better than Matt Ellis."

by Ubiquitous on Jan 6, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

We did crush the Caps.

by Philaster on Jan 6, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

who then crushed the Sabres

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 6, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

But at least we did it to them twice. Which is one more than we did last year btw.

by Philaster on Jan 6, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

HUGE GAME

Just another game in the standings, but from several different aspects it is quite important:

1- Can Miller step up in the wake of Lindy stating publicly that he needs to?
2- In a team that has been desimated by injuries, quite possible the most dabilitating one (so far) comes to an end tonight. Will Myer’s return give the team a spark? If it doesn’t, then probably nothing can.
3- Can the team win it’s second in a row for the first time in what seems like forever?
4- Can they just flat out beat a team that they are much better than on paper?

If this team wants to make a surge, all of these questions need to be answered yes. A well played game tonight on both ends of the ice will go a long way toward doing this. Here’s hoping they make it happen.

by lgbfromoregon on Jan 6, 2012 4:15 PM EST reply actions

It might not be really noticeable or possible the first game back, but I really hope that even before Myers starts to get hot with points that he helps bring more stability to the PK and the numbers start moving back up to like the first couple weeks of the season.

by VFN FTW on Jan 6, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

I hope to see an immediate impact.

The team should feel like their luck is starting to turn and having their best player back should give them an immediate confidence boost.

by lgbfromoregon on Jan 6, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

I would have never imagined this..

It’s 24 games and counting for the Buffalo Sabres since they put together back-to-back wins as they head into tonight’s game at Carolina. That’s their longest such drought in 13 years — and the fourth-longest in franchise history. Maybe Roy can get hurt and then this team takes off again.

by 2010bulls on Jan 6, 2012 5:07 PM EST reply actions