Tonight the Sabres invade the RBC Center for a meeting with Eastern Conference basement dweller the Carolina Hurricanes. These matchups with the Canes always bring back memories to the 2006 Easter Conference Final. I still say to this day the Canes stole Buffalo's cup that year, if only Jay McKee took care of a cut on his leg he wouldn't have been the 5th D-man to go out of the lineup. I remember those annoying "cheerleaders" holding the sound meter things showing how loud it was in the arena every time Carolina scored (It usually is in 29 other NHL arena's when the home team scores). Rob Brind'Amour being his usual ugly self in the Game 7 postgame interview. Ugh. Life goes on in Buffalo sports.

Anyways back to the current moment, the Sabres are looking for their first back to back W tonight since a four game win streak back in November ranging from the 4th-11th. Not putting back to back wins together in two months will put you out of the top 8. If things roll the Sabres way though if they can put a 4 out of 5 streak together here and get some help they will be in the top 8 again, before heading out on a tough road trip featuring stops in Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis. I see this game as almost another must win, first of all to get a win streak together. Second the Jets are sitting in Buffalo tonight watching this game from their Embassy Suites hotel room, if they hotel doesn't have Time Warner. They could always join the Pegulaville faithful down at the FN Center for the viewing party. The Jets should be in an awful mood after getting rolled by the Habs and Leafs in their last two games. Third with a home and home coming with the Leafs, I expect a split there. 4 out of 5 that's the goal.

Tyler Myers will be back in the lineup tonight a huge boost for the Blue and Gold. It might take him a game or two get back to his old self, but still a rusty Myers is better than any current Sabres D-man right now. Also Ryan Miller will be back between the pipes. Ruff indicated last night he intended to get Miller on a roll and ride him into the playoffs, that scares me a little. What's the point of having Enroth if your not going to use him? This could be a storyline to watch as the season progresses. Leino should play tomorrow against the Jets, Ennis had a set back, I look for him to return in the 2nd Leafs game.

Expected Lineup:

Vanek-Hecht-Pommer

Stafford-Roy-Gerbe

Kassian-Adam-Boyes

Kaleta-Gaustad-Ellis

Regher-Myers

McNabb-Leopold

Weber-Gragnani

Miller

(Enroth)

Prediction: I expect a huge boost from Myers return, Carolina could be walking into a buzzsaw tonight. Sabres 4-1.

Good memory of last seasons playoff push in Carolina: