The Sabres are back in action tonight against Philadelphia with Ville Leino as their top line center and Derek Roy playing the point on the power play – but will those changes pay dividends? Plenty more Sabres links after the break.
Flyers face Sabres in first-round playoff rematch – NHL.com
The banged-up Flyers face a big road challenge, while the Sabres look to snap out of a funk that has seen them lose three of their last four.
Roy At Point On Power Play, Gragnani Removed – WGR 550
After running what Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff called the hardest practice in three years, the team took Tuesday and devoted it to special teams.
Flyers will test revamped Sabres – The Buffalo News
The Philadelphia Flyers arrive in First Niagara Center tonight, their first appearance since shocking Buffalo in Game Six of the playoffs last spring and eliminating the Sabres in Game Seven.
It’s smoother skating on Buffalo home ice – The Buffalo News
Providing a better ice surface was among the main goals of Sabres ownership and management this offseason.
More Sabres:
Leino looks to find groove vs. old mates – CSN Philly
Ville Leino inked a six year, $27 million deal with the Sabres over the summer, but he’s been more erratic than prosperous in Buffalo so far.
Growing Up With Pat LaFontaine – The Triangle Blog
It’s written from an Islanders point of view, but here’s a nice article on Pat LaFontaine’s new job – coaching his 16-year old son.
Fan’s View: Buffalo Sabres Struggle in Spite of Vanek’s Strong Start – Yahoo! Sports
Vanek has been tenacious, consistent, and basically Mr. Reliable throughout these first 10 games, off to the best start of his career in his seventh season.
El Evil Lion – The Goose’s Roost
Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville have a new center in Ville Leino and the promotion might just be what Leino needs.
Around the NHL:
Oilers’ Sutton suspended for five games – NHL.com
Oilers defenseman Andy Sutton has been suspended, without pay, for five games for delivering an illegal hit to the head of Gabriel Landeskog
Early treats of the NHL season – THN
With Halloween on the brain this author writes about four players that have been a treat to watch so far.
Weekes: Eight ‘non-stars’ impressing me – NHL.com
In the NHL, the stars get all the attention. But in reality, every successful team in the history of the NHL has been that way because of contributions from players who don’t get as much of the spotlight.
Is the NHL backing down on boarding? – SI.com
After a preseason full of tough rulings designed to signal that the league was serious about cracking down on head hits, boarding and other willful and reckless acts, the players seemed to have gotten the message.
Fraser: A tough call against Islanders on Saturday – TSN
As NHL on TSN analyst and former NHL referee Kerry Fraser writes, incidents like those that happened Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum – an incorrect assessment on a delay of game penalty in overtime – makes an official’s job that much tougher.
Rant answers: The King goat, stealth Selke guy and highway robbery – ESPN
Pierre LeBrun answers some hockey rants.