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Sabres vs. Bruins Preview: There’s no place like a home and home for the holidays

The Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins face off tonight for the second of five times this season, and though their records are almost exact opposites of one another, Sabres fans hoping for a win have a few thin straws to grasp on to tonight.

The Sabres are coming off of a win in the last game (a rare enough thing this season) over Winnipeg in a game that saw their offense “explode” for four goals, a total that matched their output from the previous three games. If they’re able to keep that momentum going, this game could be a lot more competitive than it looks on paper.

Also working in Buffalo’s favor is the fact that a big chunk of the Bruins team is out with some type of injury – Daniel Paille, Dougie Hamilton, Chris Kelly, Loui Eriksson, and Adam McQuaid will all be out tonight. What, somebody couldn’t injure Chara before the game, too?

Game #35

Buffalo Sabres (8-23-3) vs. Boston Bruins (23-9-2)

Puck Drop – 7:00pm EST – First Niagara Center – Buffalo, NY
TV
– MSG, Bell, NESN | Radio – WGR 550-AM
SBNation Bruins Blog
Stanley Cup of Chowder

Three Questions

1. Matt Moulson says he feels more comfortable now in Buffalo, and scored on Tuesday to boot. Can he keep it up against Boston?
The man who replaced Thomas Vanek has also replaced most of Thomas Vanek’s scoring, with six goals and seven assists in 21 games wearing blue and gold. It would be nice if he could replicate one of Vanek’s patented hot streaks, and there’s no better time to start than tonight.

2. The Sabres new fourth line was firing on all cylinders thanks to Matt Ellis and Kevin Porter. Will they see more ice time because of it?
Matty Ellis scored an NHL goal on Tuesday. Let’s just take a moment for that to sink in.

……………………………………

There. The goal was Ellis’ first since January of 2012, and helped lead the Sabres to victory. Ted Nolan loves hard-working, responsible players. Will the fourth line be rewarded with more ice time thanks to their efforts?

3. Buffalo has outshot or tied their opponents in five straight games. Can they make it six?
After starting the season with god-awful shot differentials every night, the Sabres have turned things around. Beating Boston in the shots department would go a long way toward a win.

Projected BUF Lines

Matt Moulson – Tyler EnnisZemgus Girgensons
Ville LeinoSteve OttDrew Stafford
Marcus FolignoCody Hodgson – Matt D’Agostini
John ScottBrian Flynn – Kevin Porter

Christian Ehrhoff Alex Sulzer
Henrik TallinderTyler Myers
Jamie McBainMike Weber

Goal: Ryan Miller

Scratches/Injuries: Ellis, McCormick, Ruhwedel, Grigorenko