One day after a heartbreaking loss to Philadelphia, the Buffalo Sabres will try and regroup tonight to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the two teams final game of the season.
Ed Note: Doesn’t it feel weird to wrap up the season series this early? It’s only game #46, for crying out loud. The season’s barely half over and you’re going to deprive me of watching Ryan Miller stop Phil Kessel breakaways already? Worst. Season. Ever. (Literally.)
The Sabres will be making some changes to their lineup tonight, as Tyler Myers returns from his three-game suspension, while Drew Stafford is expected to return from injury. Marcus Foligno (who has a day-to-day injury) and Linus Omark (who has a lack of production) will sit tonight to make room for Stafford and John Scott (because Toronto) while Alex Sulzer gets the boot in place of Myers.
The Leafs are also playing the second half of a back-to-back after defeating Boston last night to win their second in a row.
This is fifth and final game between these two teams and the tally is split at two wins apiece. Who will win the rubber match and earn league basement bragging rights?
Game #46
Buffalo Sabres (13-27-5) at Toronto Maple Leafs (23-19-4)
Puck Drop – 7:30pm EST – Air Canada Centre – Toronto, ON
TV – MSG, TSN | Radio – WGR 550-AM
SBNation Leafs Blog – Pension Plan Puppets
Three Questions
1. With so little work lately, will Ryan Miller continue to dominate Toronto?
Miller always brings his A game versus the Leafs, but thanks to a blizzard and some wonky goalie scheduling, he’s only played one game in the past 11 days.
2. Can the Sabres second line put on a repeat performance from last night?
Buffalo #2 forward unit contributed two goals last night and finished the game with excellent possession numbers. Matt D’Agostini has four point in his last four games. Can they keep the magic alive against another terrible possession team in the Leafs?
3. Will we see any fourth line fireworks tonight?
It’s the last chance for Toronto to settle any residual John Scott-Phil Kessel-Colton-Orr bad blood, not to mention the new presence of Zenon Konopka – will we see the team that leads the league in fighting majors drop the gloves?
Projected BUF Lines
Moulson – Ennis – Girgensons
Ott – Hodgson – D’Agostini
Stafford – Leino – Flynn
Scott – Konopka – Ellis
Ehrhoff – Pysyk
Weber – Myers
McNabb – McBain
Goal: Ryan Miller
Scratches/Injuries: Sulzer, Tallinder, Porter, McCormick, Foligno, Omark
