Game #62
Buffalo Sabres (18-35-8) at Tampa Bay Lightning (34-23-5)
Puck Drop - 7:30pm EST
TV - MSG, Bell TV, Sun | Radio - WGR 550-AM
SBNation Lightning Blog - Raw Charge
Three Questions, One Comment
1. How will the Sabres respond to the complete dismantling of their team?
With all due respect to Michal Neuvirth, Chris Stewart, and Torrey Mitchell, the loss of Ryan Miller, Steve Ott, Matt Moulson, and Cody McCormick has to hurt inside the Buffalo locker room as much as it will on the ice. Will we see a deflated team tonight, or can the Sabres use this as a galvanizing moment for the rest of their season?
2. Who will score for Buffalo?
No, really? With Moulson gone, the Sabres only have three players with double digit goals this season (not counting Chris Stewart) and we're in game #62. Tyler Myers is now the team's fourth leading goal scorer with eight. Ugh.
3. Will Jhonas Enroth put on his best Miller impression for the third game in a row?
Enroth is coming of of two strong outings in a row, and will likely need to play like a Vezina winner in order to keep the offensively challenged Sabres in the game.
4. Callahan. Stamkos.
Yes, this is exciting for the other team, as most Sabres games will focus more on watching the cool players on the opposing side than anyone Buffalo. How will they look in their first games for TBL?
Projected BUF Lines
Leino - Ennis - Stafford
D'Agostini - Hodgson - Stewart
Foligno - Girgensons - Flynn
Scott - Mitchell - Ellis
Ehrhoff – Sulzer
Weber - Myers
Tallinder - McBain
Goal: Jhonas Enroth
Scratches/Injuries: Konopka
Projected TBL Forward Lines
Nikita Kucherov -- Valtteri Filppula - Ryan Callahan
Alex Killorn - Steven Stamkos - Teddy Purcell
Ondrej Palat - Tyler Johnson - Ryan Malone
J.T. Brown -- Nate Thompson - Richard Panik