The Buffalo Sabres are currently in a state of flux after the announcement of the trade of Thomas Vanek. With Vanek out of the lineup and being replaced by Matt Moulson, the Sabres have lost one of their co-captains and an integral part of their offense. The biggest question that will now face this team is where will the scoring come from? Thomas Vanek left the team tied as the team’s leading goal scorer with four goals in 13 games. Moulson comes in as the team’s new leading scorer with six goals in 11 games. Will he find the same chemistry with Cody Hodgson as he did with John Tavares?
Adding even more intrigue to this game, all of this is happening as a familiar face makes his first return back to Buffalo. Lindy Ruff, former player and long time coach, and the Dallas Stars come strolling into the First Niagara Center for their only appearance in Buffalo this season. The Stars have been struggling out of the gate, going 4-5-1 in the loaded Central Division, but have some good young talent in Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin that the team can build around.
Jamie Benn was drafted by the Stars in 2007 and has been a solid young forward and one of their core players that the team is building around. He’s never broken the 30 goal scoring mark yet but currently leads the team in points with 11 in 10 games this season. Tyler Seguin was acquired from the Boston Bruins in the offseason and has fit in nicely with the Stars thus far. He has four goals and six assists in 10 games this season.
Three Things We Have Questions About
1.) How will the Buffalo Sabres acknowledge the return of Lindy?
The Sabres took a pounding in the media when the team decided not to acknowledge the return of former captain Jason Pominville when the Wild came to town a couple of weeks ago. Sabres president Ted Black has already said that they will do something for the return of Lindy Ruff so it will be interesting to see how it is done.
2.) Can the Sabres find any offense tonight?
The Dallas Stars are averaging three goals allowed per game thus far into the season. The Buffalo Sabres have only scored three goals in a game twice this season, most recently on Friday night against the Florida Panthers. Can the team find any continuity in its offense to take advantage of the weaker Stars defense?
3.) How many more Ryan Miller games will we get to see?
Miler is projected to be the starter for the Sabres in this game tonight and the clock is only ticking on how many more Miller performances the Sabres will get to see. The team is clearly in fire sale mode with Thomas Vanek being the first candidate sent off to greener pastures and the only other wild card the Sabres hold is Ryan Miller.