Game #64
Buffalo Sabres (19-39-5) at
Tampa Bay Lightning (38-20-6)
Three Questions
1. Will the new-look Sabres be able to generate any kind of serious offense?
Out are Brian Flynn, Christ Stewart, and Torrey Mitchell; in their place are Tim Schaller, Jerry D’Amigo, Zac Dalpe, and either a returning Tyler Ennis or Mikhail Grigorenko. The Sabres offense looks pretty putrid on paper (check out those practice lines below) but will some new blood be able to bring a new spark to an offense we all expect to be horrible, or will they simply be outclassed by the far superior Lightning?
2. Can Anders Lindback come close to what Michal Neuvirth was giving the Sabres in net ?
Michal Neuvirth was playing so well in the Sabres net that Tim Murray had to ship him to the Islanders, opening the door for two goaltenders with a sub-.900 save percentage to finish out the year for the Sabres. Unless Lindback and Chad Johnson can turn things around quickly, the end of the season could get real ugly.
3. Will we get Tyler Ennis or Mikhail Grigorenko tonight?
Ennis is hoping to return from injury, but if he can’t go, the Sabres have Grigorenko as the insurance man. Whoever plays will get a chance to play with top center Phil Varone, and whoever sits will get to laugh at that other guy from the press box.
Projected BUF lines?
Moulson – Varone – Grigorenko/Ennis
Foligno – Larsson – Gionta
Deslauriers – Schaller – Hodgson
D’Amigo – Ellis – Dalpe
Benoit – Bogosian
Weber – Ristolainen
Zadorov – Meszaros
Goal: Anders Lindback