The Buffalo Sabres are looking to set fans into a frenzy through the whole night as the Philadelphia Flyers come into town for the final home game of the season. The night starts with a 40th anniversary party that should have happened the first time the team had a 40th anniversary celebration. Over 75 alumni are scheduled to attend, from the obscure players to the players that had their numbers retired. They will be introduced by decade during the pregame ceremony before the game and come into the arena through a red carpet event before the game.
The Sabres team is looking to keep the fans rocking with the possibility of a playoff berth. If the Sabres gain a point, either win or lose in overtime, the team will gain the second playoff berth in a row. From where this season started, that would should make any fan elated but with the momentum this team has built people should be expecting this team to make a dent in the playoffs.
The Flyers have beaten the Sabres in two of the three games this season. The Sabres won the last matchup though 5-2 on January 11th. The Flyers have hit the skids at the end of the season as well, winning only three of their last ten games. They are only two points ahead of the Boston Bruins for second place in the Conference and the Penguins are a point behind for the division title.
Jhonas Enroth should get his third start in a row against the Flyers but Ryan Miller is expected to start a game this weekend, most likely against the Blue Jackets. Enroth has been fantastic down the stretch and has gotten points in his last seven starts.
The Sabres will also introduce their 7th Man fan of the year award winner during the ceremony tonight. The winner is Jessica Black, a season ticket holder in section 304 who had the “Fans Show Up, Why Don’t You” sign on the back wall during the losing streak at the start of the season. If someone else was in ownership, she probably wouldn’t have won the award this season.
Game time is 7:30, pregame festivities start at 7:15. For those of you not lucky enough to get a ticket, or not willing to pay the prices on Stubhub, join us here starting at 7:00 in the gamethread.