Pegulaville26

Believe it or not the hottest line in hockey calls Hockey Heaven home. Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford, and Marcus Foligno are on an absolute tear right now. This line alone could have put up 7 goals on Tampa Bay Monday. They dominated the game almost every shift. The combination of speed and size that this line presents is the type of offense Buffalo has looked for all season. In the last 5 games since Foligno's recall that line has 11 goals, 14 assists, 25 points, and is a combined +22. Let's first start with the man that makes this line go and that is Tyler Ennis. All season Buffalo has been in search of a #1 center, little did they know that #63 playing wing on their team was that #1 center. Ennis played center at Medicine Hat in juniors as well as Portland of the AHL where he earned AHL Rookie of the Year honors. If you don't like Lindy Ruff here is your chance to be critical of him. What took so long for them to put Ennis at center? It is a natural fit for the 22 year old speedster. Ennis may not be the idle size of a #1 center at 5'9 163 lbs, however his combination of speed, skill, and fearlessness makes up for the size issue. He has the speed to get back in his defensive zone and his quick hands make it easy for him to pick the pocket of forwards in the defensive zone. In his last five games Ennis has 4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points and is a +9. Andrei Markov knows how quick Tyler Ennis is... The surprise player of this trio is Marcus Foligno. Since being recalled from Rochester on his second recall Foligno has 5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points and is a +6. Foligno's play in Rochester allowed for Buffalo to move Zach Kassian and acquire Cody Hodgson. In 27 games in Buffalo Kassian had 7 points, Foligno has that in 6. Foligno is a big body at 6'3 215 lbs, the Buffalo native brings much needed size to the Sabres he is not afraid to throw his body around and head to the dirty areas to score. Foligno was selected in the 4th round in 09 Draft by Buffalo, he wasn't projected to be a top 6 forward in the NHL, more along the line of a 3rd or 4th line grinder. All of that changed when Foligno was a surprise at the Canadian World Juniors tryouts and made the team. Foligno played well in the 2010 World Juniors in Buffalo winning a Silver Medal. His first year of pro hockey in Rochester has also been a success with Foligno with 34 points in 55 games. I always said if a player is going to be a scorer they do it right away, not many players grow into a consistent point producer. Foligno Jump!... The last guy of the trio is the guy everyone has waited for to get going all season. Drew Stafford has had a very disappointing season after scoring 30 goals last season. In the offseason he signed a 4 year 16 million dollar extension with Buffalo. He has had a hard time living up to that contract and has struggled like many Buffalo scorers. Stafford has had some personal issues this season, but has said that is no excuse for the way his game was going. However Stafford has found life with Ennis as his new center instead of Roy (no coincidence). In his last 5 Stafford has 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, and is a +7. He is using his size and speed again to drive the net, that's when you can tell Stafford is at the top of his game. He is going to the net again and burying his chances now. Early in the year he was shooting it wide or hitting iron. Buffalo needs these three to keep it up for the next 9 games if Buffalo wants any shot at the playoffs. Pre-game blog coming later with 8th place tie again on the line tonight.

Another big game tonight for Buffalo. Tonight's meeting with the Lightning is for a 8th place tie with the Caps, as long as Detroit does their job in Hockeytown tonight. Tampa comes in tonight's game struggling losing 6 of 7. The loss of Matheiu Garon has been a killer for the Bolts, Tampa was making a push however they now seem out of it. Steven Stamkos has hit the 50 goal milestone for the second time in his career. He is red hot and will need to be contained for Buffalo to have a chance tonight. He killed them in the last meeting in Buffalo a 2-1 loss. Tampa has won 3 of the 4 meetings this season (2-0, 4-3, 2-1). Nathan Gerbe will again not play tonight with his lingering injury. Good news on the injury front was Jochen Hecht was on the ice today skating not wearing a "don't hit me" jersey. Hecht is still not likely to play again in the regular season. Good to see he is making progress from his third concussion in one year. Nothing much to report from Hockey Heaven. Sabres need this one pretty badly lets see if they bring a better effort then they have recently. Scoring would be nice. Be nice to see Hodgson get the monkey off his back and get on the board. Projected Lineup: Foligno-Ennis-Stafford Vanek-Hodgson-Leino Pominville-Roy-Tropp McCormick-Boyes-Kaleta Ehrhoff-Sulzer Regehr-Leopold Weber-Sekera Miller (Enroth) Prediction: Bolts have given the fits to Buffalo all year. They frustrate the Sabres out of their game and Buffalo cannot score goals. 2-1 Tampa

As much of you know Tyler Myers got a 3 suspension for this hit..... Last night Zach Bogosian used himself as a self propelled rocket to lay out Andreas Nodl and received a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct, but news comes today he won't even get a hearing!... NHL REALLY wants Winnipeg in the playoffs, don't forget Mike Green was given a 3 game suspension as well for an elbow recently. Unbelievable.

For the second straight game Buffalo gets the loser point after a shootout loss. In a week of three winable games, Buffalo wins one. Where to begin? I guess lets start with the standings, Buffalo gains a point and sits two behind Washington (three points actually with the tie breaker). Sure mathematically it's not over, but the eye test will tell you different. Let me jump back to March 5th in Winnipeg, a HUGE game Buffalo needed badly. They don't show up and lose 3-1, I let that one go because it was the final game of a long road trip. Now let's forward to tonight a HUGE game in Florida. No loud crowd to get Florida going like in Winnipeg, however the Sabres don't show up again and are lucky to get a point. The Sabres last 4 games have gone to overtime/shootout, both teams managed 5 shots combined in the 3rd. Playing for the OT point? Vanek had a chance to put the Sabres up late in the 3rd on a 2 on 1 rush with Hodgson, but fumbled the pass and got no shot off. By the way Buffalo has to be the best at getting no shot on odd man rushes. Then we go to the shootout. It goes 14 players deep. Let me preface this by saying the Sabres pay 5 offensive players over 4 milion dollars to score goals. Those 5 players Vanek, Pominville, Roy, Stafford, and Boyes all had a chance to win in the shootout. None of them scored or were even close. The Sabres players just cruised in shot it into Theodore's pads and skated off. No emotion or extra effort. Thank god for Tyler Ennis. Cody Hodgson still plays right? No more excuses bud 0 points in 7 games is becoming an issue. Tyler Myers is VERY VERY much missed. Well for all those hopeful fans root for the Hawks and Wings over the next two days and hope the Sabres can get two against Tampa on Monday. I however have checked out of this race, the players are disinterested so I guess I'll join them.

I finally dragged myself back to a hockey mindset today after three thrilling days in Buffalo known as the "Mario Party". The Bills signing of Mario Williams has given me new energy to root for a final push by the Sabres. I want to touch on Wednesday's game against the Avalanche. First off Marcus Foligno is showing more and more why Zach Kassian became available in a trade. Foligno has 4 points in 4 NHL games, all 4 coming in his last three games (3 goals 1 assist). To bad the Sabres defense can't close out a game. I know it is illegal, but my goodness there's 5 seconds left in the game you need to hook, trip, cross check, or hold. Do whatever you have to do to get the two points. However Mike Weber again was out of position and for the second straight game the away team tied the game with under 5 seconds left in the game. On Monday they got away with it with a overtime win, not the case Wednesday. Avs would go on to win 5-4 in a shootout. Also notice Myers doesn't play and the defense looks awful. Thanks Shanny. Cody Hodgson continues to stay off the score sheet. He rang a puck of the post 15 seconds into the Avs game and then was never really seen again. However he did get his first actual practice with his new team today. Alexander Sulzer on the other hand has player very well with Ehrhoff and even added his first goal as a Sabre against Colorado. He's played so well that when Andrej Sekera and Tyler Myers return, I think Mike Weber will be sent to the press box. Funny how the throw in's in that deal are out playing the big names currently. The Sabres take their talents to South Beach to meet the suddenly hot Florida Panthers on Saturday and then head to the Bay to play the Bolts. I said earlier in the week I expected all 3 games this week (Montreal, Colorado, and Florida). Well with that no longer possible they need to win tomorrow and get 5 of 6 points this week. With 11 games left, Buffalo needs to win 8 or 9. On the injury front Nathan Gerbe was a surprise late scratch Wednesday. He has an upper body injury and skated alone today. He is making the trip to Florida and is questionable for those two games. Andrej Sekera also practiced today wearing the "don't hit me" jersey and is also making the trip. He is also questionable for the two Florida games. In practice today lines were a bit different: Tropp-Roy-Pominville Vanek-Hodgson-Leino Foligno-Ennis-Stafford Kaleta-Boyes-McCormick Only real interesting thing I noticed is Tropp skating with Roy and Pominville. If Gerbe plays that could be his spot that Tropp is just sitting in for the time being. Crunch time for the Sabres 11 games left 3 points out of 8th. Washington and Winnipeg will make up their game in hand tonight when they face off in the MTS Centre. I'm pulling for a Winnipeg win. NO 3 POINT GAME!

@Miller Time your trying to hard. NHL is inconsistent we all know that it is what it is. Mcnabb and sulzer gotta step up Ehrhoff and Leo can play big minutes.

Que the Lindy Ruff and Ryan Miller complain fest to begin tomorrow, although in this situation it is for a good reason.

Big hit to Sabres playoff hopes. Garbage if you ask me, I guess if your not named Geno Malkin or play for the Bruins then your toast. Maybe 1 game max, but 3?! Come on Shanny!

Myers hearing was at 1PM EST and has ended. Myers was quoted saying to John Vogl of the Buffalo News "I'm probably expecting something." When pressed more on the issue Myers responded with "We'll see what happens, whatever they decide I'll live with it". Anything other than a fine would be an outrage in my opinion and another example of the inconsistent NHL.

@flyercanuck Oh no I agree with you I'm just saying Sylvester and Gare are an absolute joke I mute the game sometimes.

Potential bad news for Sabres fans, Tyler Myers has a hearing with Brendan Shanahan for his boarding penalty on Scott Gomez last night. I don't think the hit is suspension worthy, but I can never read on what Shanahan thinks. Myers has no history of suspensions or prior meetings. Buffalo cannot afford to lose their big tower on the blue line for any games in this playoff push. See the hit here... . What do you think?

@flyercanuck you think RJ is a bad homer? Which he sometimes is. Have you ever listened to Kevin Sylvester and Danny Gare do a Sabres game? Definition of homers, picture of them two in the dictionary next to the word soooo bad.

I am behind you 100%. It is a joke with these playoff races only have one or two penalties a game called, sometimes zero. Remember when the player dumped the puck in you couldn't stand in front of him. Was there a rule change I missed? Now they want to put the red line back in? Absolute joke that will kill the skill of players like Stamkos, Giroux, Sid, Sedins, Malkin, etc. NHL needs to look itself in the mirror very important CBA coming up.

We actually go to Florida and Tampa Saturday and Monday. Although Florida is usually like a home game with all the Sabres fans that show up.

Amen! Post lockout hockey 05-06 and 06-07 was the best! Speed and skill. Also perhaps limit the size of goalie equipment. Scoring sells, see NFL new rules to help offense as a prime example.

The Sabres have 3 games this week 2 at home and 1 on the road. If the Sabres want to stay in the race they need to win all 3. Tonight it starts with a visit from the Montreal Canadiens coming off a 4-1 against the struggling Nucks in Vancouver Saturday. Wednesday the Avalanche visit the FN Center and Buffalo then takes a trip to Sunrise to play the Panthers in a BIG playoff type game. All three games MUST win in my opinion. Buffalo received no help on the scoreboard last night with 2-0 wins by both Florida and Washington. They sit 4 points out of 8th going into tonight's game. Buffalo had a big comeback win in Ottawa Saturday. The Sabres never lead until the end of shootout when Tyler Ennis sealed the bonus point. Marcus Foligno played in his second NHL game Saturday as well and was a way different player than I saw early in the season. He was physical and scored his first NHL which was huge to tie the game at 3 with less than 10 minutes remaining. Miller again held his team in until they were able to get the equalizer late in the 3rd. Miller will be the reason Buffalo does or does not make the playoffs, no doubt about it. Montreal comes in a winner of two in a row, but still sit in last place in the East with 64 points. The Habs got a big boost Saturday with the return of oft injured defenseman Andrei Markov. Markov brings some stability to the Habs blue line. The question is how long will he stay healthy? Max Pacioretty comes in still red hot, along with Erik Cole. Those two players have carried most of the Habs scoring all year, last time Buffalo played Montreal in the Bell Centre, Erik Cole was a force with multiple scoring chances on Miller. On the injury news for Buffalo some good and bad news. Good news Vanek and PK36 will be good to go tonight. On the bad side Andrej Sekera was diagnosed with pneumonia and is out indefinitely. The Sekera news made the acquisition of Alexander Sulzer that much more important. Matt Ellis is always at for the fore-seeable future with a knee injury. Foligno will stay in the lineup to take the spot of Ellis. No scoreboard watching needed tonight, that will resume tomorrow with the Caps, Leafs, and Panthers all in action. Lineup tonight should be interesting Leino played on the top line with Hodgson and Pominville, Boyes was on the second line. With Vanek returning tonight it will be interesting to see how Lindy shuffles everything up. Vanek-Hodgson-Pominville Foligno-Ennis-Stafford Leino-Roy-Gerbe Tropp-Boyes-Kaleta Myers-Leopold Sulzer-Ehrhoff Weber-Regehr Miller (Enroth) Prediction: Buffalo NEEDS to score goals. Montreal could be a tired team after a west coast trip and playing in Vancouver Saturday. 3-1 Buffalo, Sabres got to have it.

Idc about the caps at this point they r going to win the SE I Worried about Florida and Winnipeg. The way I see it right now we r 3 points out (3 behind Florida)

Foligno showed tonight why kassian became tradeable.

@Miller Time a few answers to your questions. McCormick had a shoulder injury I believe, but was cleared to play yesterday. He will replace Vanek if he can't go Saturday. Myers drilled Marchand in the 3rd along with 4 or 5 other Bruins players throughout the game. Hecht is never going to wear the blue and gold again probably and maybe never any NHL jersey. Three concussions in 12 months is scary, I hope he gets better. Also the turnover wasn't really CoHo's fault Ehrhoff put it in his skates, however Hodgson has tailed off. Time to break up the 21-19-63 line and put Ennis back at center where he was producing. Last on the defense Sulzer will be a UFA at seasons end and Leopold may get traded however I haven't hated his game all season. Maybe Regehr will decide he's had enough and will retire. Wishful thinking maybe, he can still play, but I don't know if the hip is bothering him he's looked slow. McNabb will be a full time player next season.

The Sabres return to TD Garden tonight for the first time since Milan Lucic steam rolled Ryan Miller. Since that game the Sabres are 2-0-1 against Boston in 3 meetings in Buffalo. They have stood up to Boston in all three meetings and have out played them during most of those games. Another story line tonight for Buffalo is that 8th place is on the line with a little help on the out of town scoreboard. First off the goaltending matchup will feature Tim Thomas against most likely Jhonas Enroth. However Enroth starting has not been confirmed. Sabres fans were hoping for Marty Turco to get his first start for Boston no such luck. Boston is looking for back to back wins for the first time since Jan. 10-12. The Sabres rolled out a similar streak this season. Last night the Sabres burried the Hurricanes by getting a 3-2 OT win. After a poor first period, Buffalo owned the final 40 minutes. Cam Ward stood on his head to give the Carolina a point, but he couldn't pull it out in the end. Pominville blew a shot by him on the PP in OT for the winner. The Sabres first line showed up big last night with Vanek and Pominville both registering a goal and an assist. Buffalo needs them two to get going again to get into the top 8. Starting to become a tad nervous that Alexander Sulzer is making more of an impact than Cody Hodgson. CoHo has looked a little lost the last two games trying to do a bit to much. He needs to get back to playing a simple game like he did when he first joined the club. Sulzer played well last night in place of a sick Andrej Sekera. Sekera will probably miss tonights game as well. Games of intrest tonight: TB @ Washington (NO 3 PT GAME!!) Florida @ Philadelphia Winnipeg @ Vancouver Sabres fans need to root for the Bolts, Flyers, and Nucks. Projected Lineup: Vanek-Roy-Pominville Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford Gerbe-Leino-Kaleta Boyes-Ellis-Tropp Myers-Leopold Sulzer-Ehrhoff Weber-Regehr Enroth (Miller) Prediction: Hang on for dear life boy's. They need to win 3 of 4, here is your one loss 4-2 Boston.

We always stand up tough to Boston since the Lucic steam rolling. If I had to put money on it I'd say Miller plays, but Ruff did say he would get a rest in a upcoming back to back. I wouldn't say we've beat them twice soundly, one yes 5-0, but the other game we crawled out with a 2-1 shootout win.

@Irishjim if you know any team looking for a 4.5 million dollar 3rd line center/winger that puts up 30 points I'll personally drive Leino to that city. I really want to like Leino but boy that contract is a tough pill to swallow.

Hello cap jail.

Sure the Sharks are in trouble. Disagree though on the bad moves comment. Devin Setoguchi has done very little in Minnesota who is crumbling as well. He has 29 points and is a -12 in 59 games. Brent Burns who they got for Setoguchi has 31 points (from the blue line) in 64 games and is a +7, I say SJ won that deal so far. Moore played with a broken bone in has hand in Buffalo and didn't tell anyone. He is a solid playoff depth veteran used for the PK which SJ is near the bottom of the NHL in. Also Winnik and Galiardi were good acquisitions, although McGinn is tearing it up in Colorado.

One observation, I don't think the Rangers and Ottawa game has any effect on 8th place. Second slim chance Buffalo wins tonight, Enroth probably playing and third game in four nights. However you never know, see Vancouver game last Saturday.