Preseason Game #4
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
TV – MSG, NHL Net, Sportsnet ONT | Radio – WGR 550 – AM
SB Nation Leafs Blog – Pension Plan Puppets
A few interesting notes about tonight’s lineup:
– Andrey Makarov will get the start over Nathan Lieuwen, and while Makarov will certainly start the season in Rochester, it’s a bad sign for Lieuwen after giving up six goals against the Leafs while fighting for a starting spot that he’s losing time to an AHLer.
– Tim Schaller wasn’t supposed to play in the last game, and here he is as one of the few players in the lineup two games in a row. He’s still a long shot to make the team, but he’s obiously impressing Ted Nolan, and should be solidifying his position as one of the first injury call-ups from Rochester.
– Mikhail Grigorenko has been drawing rave reviews this preseason for his improved work ethic, strength, and skating. Tonight he finally gets away from the fourth line as he’s slotted in as the #1 center with Cody Hodgson and Chris Stewart.
Sabres Lineup
Hodgson – Grigorenko – Stewart
Dalpe – Mitchell – Flynn
Deslauriers – Larsson – Armia
Ellis – Schaller – Kaleta
Petrecki – Meszaros
Weber – Ristolainen
Bagnall – Strachan
Makarov
Lieuwen