Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview: Keeping The Points Flowing In

by Zachary Zielonka on Feb 10, 2012 10:02 AM EST

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Drew Stafford #21 of the Buffalo Sabres scores Buffalo's sixth goal against the Boston Bruins at First Niagara Center on February 8, 2012 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 6-0. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off their best victory of the season, a 6-0 victory against the Boston Bruins, and next on the docket are the Dallas Stars.

Nothing should change for the Sabres from Wednesday night and that includes the coaches behind the bench as well. Head coach Lindy Ruff was in good spirits when he talked to the media after the game on Wednesday. During that conference, he had mentioned that he isn't able to coach behind the bench due to his inability to yell the lines out. That means that James Patrick will continue to serve the role as in game head coach.

As for the roster, the only possible change comes with winger Thomas Vanek. Vanek has missed the last three games with an upper body injury and worked out with the team on Thursday in practice. Vanek is looking to get himself back in the lineup but it may not be in his normal spot on the first line, which he joked about with the Buffalo News:

"Geez, life goes on," he said slowly with a smile. "The line's been playing well. The three games I missed the team played great. For me, it's just to try and find a spot in the lineup then work myself up again."

The Stars are coming into this game having defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Thursday. Jamie Benn scored twice for Dallas and Kari Lehtonen made 26 saves in the winning effort. Due to the back-to-back situation, we expect the Stars to start Richard Bachman in net. Bachman is 6-3-1 this season with a 2.72 goals against average and. 912 save percentage. Bachman is 0-2-1 in his last three decisions though with his last victory coming on January 7th against the Edmonton Oilers. The only major injury for the Stars has been Brenden Morrow who has been out for the last week with an upper body injury.

The stars may be aligning for the Sabres tonight as well. The Stars are 0-8-1 this season in the second night of a back to back situation and they haven't won a regular season game in Buffalo since October 7, 1997. Game time is 7:30 pm.

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Finally...

A home game with RJ calling the play-by-play. I’ve missed him.

Not knocking Kevin and Danny, I actually like the change of style and energy, but they are no RJ.

by Binthet on Feb 10, 2012 10:20 AM EST reply actions

You know, you can just listen to the radio if that’s what you want – I actually think RJ is even better on the radio (his first and best medium) because he’s so descriptive of the action.

by Philaster on Feb 10, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

I still have MSG (yay, DirecTV!). It’s just been a while since they’ve done a home game that wasn’t on Nothing But Crosby’s Sister.

by Binthet on Feb 10, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

A little surprised they are saying Miller will start instead of Enroth. I would have thought it’d be Enroth tonight against a western team and Miller tomorrow. But he did have a shutout last game and you know how that goes.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 10, 2012 11:36 AM EST reply actions

Adam scratched tonight according to Harrington

The writing was on the wall for this one. Lindy said it’s a possiblity that he gets sent to Roch. I’d hate to see that happen to a young guy after paying the entire year with the club but he has not shown anything in quite some time and seems to respond negatively to less ice time, so something needs to be done. I hesitate to call it a work ethic thing so hopefully he just needs some confidence, or maybe even rest.

by lgbfromoregon on Feb 10, 2012 11:38 AM EST reply actions

I totally agree on the confidence thing. It will be good for him to work on his fundamentals which I thought he was strong on early in the year.

by Philaster on Feb 10, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

They could want to see how he handles two-way play with the leash off so to speak.

Rochester is the only place they can do that right now.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Feb 10, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Betcha

What are the chances of Kaleta and Ott going at it in the 1st period. I think the odds are pretty good. Look for Kaleta to try to set a tone again. I wouldn`t be surprised if Kaleta and Downey go at it tomorrow either.

I thought they should have sent Adam down about a month ago when his play went south and was spending time on the 4th line. He needs to go down to Rochester and play 20 minutes a game. I would have him play even strength, pp and pk in Rochester. People might think it`s crazy getting him time on the pk but I think he has the skill to be a well-rounded forward in all areas of the ice.

by BUBLSRM on Feb 10, 2012 12:24 PM EST reply actions

the problem with Kaleta

is that if he plays tonight like he played Wednesday, the odds of him being suspended or injured for Saturday are about 50%. We need him to play like he did Wednesday, but I don’t think there’s a hockey player out there that can consistently play with that much intensity. That is why I’d advocate for him being more of a part-time player (50-55 games/year).

by lgbfromoregon on Feb 10, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

With suspensions and injury, doesn’t he become that anyway?

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

by bluecollarbuffalo on Feb 10, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed with Adam.

That would force him to be mindful of his defensive play.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Feb 10, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

thank god!!!

I don`t have to listen to Mike Milbury on the intermission reports tonight. I wish he would get a gm job again in the Eastern Conferance so I wouldn`t have to listen to him and he could wreck another franchise.

by BUBLSRM on Feb 10, 2012 1:40 PM EST reply actions

he makes me have to go to the men’s room.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 10, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Someone should go around and put his picture on the bottom of all the urinals at the FNC.

by Philaster on Feb 10, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

That would be really creepy, he strikes me as the kind of guy who would enjoy staring at people’s junk.

by lassathrax on Feb 10, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

Didn't think about it that way

But that’s a good point.

by Philaster on Feb 10, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Or beat up a 12 year old!!!

by BUBLSRM on Feb 10, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Is tonight the game that’s on real TV or tomorrow? I couldn’t remember….

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

by willgarr15 on Feb 10, 2012 2:15 PM EST via Android app reply actions

It’s tomorrow’s game

Don't worry this will only take a minute.

by mikeyg on Feb 10, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

damn

thanks

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

by willgarr15 on Feb 10, 2012 2:58 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Lehtonen is starting tonight.

by Philaster on Feb 10, 2012 3:32 PM EST reply actions

Lets make it 2 pulled Finnish goalies in a row

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 10, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

It stinks that I have to miss the game tonight, but I hope we continue on our winning ways. A sweep this weekend will keep my hopes up on this season’s slim playoff hopes. Maybe with Vanek feeling that he has to “earn” his way back into the lineup will be a good thing, since a 100% ATV is a pretty nasty player.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Feb 10, 2012 5:00 PM EST reply actions