| Buffalo Sabres (15-12-3) | Game # 31 | New Jersey Devils (16-9-3) | |||
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| Date: | December 17, 2008 | Location: | Buffalo, NY |
| Time: | 7:00 p.m. ET | Arena: | HSBC Arena |
| TV: | MSG-B | SBN Affiliate/ Blogs | In Lou We Trust |
| Radio: | WGR (550AM) | Opponent Site | Devils.com |
| Season Series | BUF 2-0-0 | Game Coverage | NHL.com |
| Previous Games | BUF 2-0, BUF 4-2 | ||
I'm putting up the game thread early today in an effort to spark some conversation about the match up between the Sabres and Devils. The Sabres have beaten the New Jersey Devils twice this season, including a 4-2 win on Saturday night. Both games played between the two teams have taken place at New Jersey. Tonight will be the first time the Devils will visit the HSBC Arena this season.
The Sabres lineup will look slightly different tonight than it did on Saturday because of injuries. Nathan Gerbe will miss at least 10 days with an upper body injury so Clarke MacArthur will fill his spot in the lineup. Patrick Kaleta is also expected back from injury which will probably send Andrew Peters to the press box. There is also a chance that Lindy Ruff could send Max to the press box iof he wants to keep extra toughness in the lineup. That scenario is unlikely because the Devils don't usually play an overly physical style of hockey.
The Sabres have been off since playing in New Jersey on Saturday but the Devils played last night in Toronto. The Devils were able to earn a point but fell in a shootout to the Leafs. The Devils have been a pretty good road team this season with a 7-4-2 record while the Sabres have struggled at home. They have a 8-7-1 record but they have losses to teams they should not lose to. It's unlikely the Sabres would take the Devils lightly despite already beating them twice because New Jersey is ahead of Buffalo in the standings.
Probable Starting Goalies
{Goalie Update:} : Scott Clemmensen is expected to start.