Habs at Sabres Gameday thread!!

[Mitchy moo]

GO SABRES!!

Steve Bernier (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2352) wasted no time making himself at home with the Buffalo Sabres (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=buf).
Bernier will look to build on a strong debut when Buffalo hosts the Montreal Canadiens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=mon) on Friday night.
Bernier was acquired at Tuesday's trade deadline in a deal that sent two-time All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=136) to San Jose. Bernier played his first game with his new team on Wednesday, scoring on his first two shots and adding an assist in an 8-4 home win over Nashville.
"To have a player step in and have as good night first night, it's almost a dream come true," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
Bernier's fifth career multigoal game ended a career-worst 12-game goal-scoring drought. Bernier's impressive debut gives him 15 goals in 2007-08, matching the career high he set last season with the Sharks.
"When your confidence is not where you want it to be and the first shot you make you score, it helps," he said. "I'm glad everything went the way I wanted everything to go. ... Yeah, it's a good start, but nothing is done yet."
Now in his third season, Bernier -- a Quebec native -- will be facing the Canadiens for the first time.
Toni Lydman (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=553) chipped in a career-high four assists for the Sabres, 3-1-1 over their last five. Derek Roy (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1948) had a goal and an assist, giving him four goals and six assists during a career-best seven-game points streak.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=gamehead><TD align=middle colSpan=8>Regular Season Matchup</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD> </TD><TD>W-L-OT</TD><TD>HOME</TD><TD>ROAD</TD><TD>DIV</TD><TD>CONF</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD align=left>MON</TD><TD>34-21-9</TD><TD>15-12-5</TD><TD>19-9-4</TD><TD>12-9-1</TD><TD>33-18-8</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD align=left>BUF</TD><TD>31-24-9</TD><TD>17-10-4</TD><TD>14-14-5</TD><TD>10-9-3</TD><TD>27-19-9</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=8>· Complete Standings (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/standings)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=gamehead><TD align=middle colSpan=8>Team Stat Comparison</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/mon.gif</TD><TD> </TD><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>197</TD><TD>Goals
</TD><TD>194</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>176</TD><TD>Goals Against
</TD><TD>174</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>73</TD><TD>Power Play Goals
</TD><TD>51</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>49</TD><TD>Power Play Goals Allowed
</TD><TD>42</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>7</TD><TD>Shorthanded Goals
</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>2</TD><TD>Shorthanded Goals Allowed
</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>828</TD><TD>Penalty Minutes
</TD><TD>778</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>13</TD><TD>Average Penalty Minutes
</TD><TD>12</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=gamehead><TD align=middle colSpan=9>Goalie Breakdown</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD> </TD><TD>GOALIE</TD><TD align=right>GP</TD><TD align=right>W</TD><TD align=right>TGA</TD><TD align=right>GAA</TD><TD align=right>SO</TD><TD align=right>SV</TD><TD align=right>SV%</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD align=middle rowSpan=3>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/mon.gif</TD><TD>Cristobal Huet (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1544)</TD><TD align=right>39</TD><TD align=right>21</TD><TD align=right>97</TD><TD align=right>2.56</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>1053</TD><TD align=right>.916</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Carey Price (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3231)</TD><TD align=right>27</TD><TD align=right>13</TD><TD align=right>72</TD><TD align=right>2.76</TD><TD align=right>1</TD><TD align=right>736</TD><TD align=right>.911</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>Jaroslav Halak (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3116)</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>1</TD><TD align=right>1.50</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>18</TD><TD align=right>.947</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD align=middle rowSpan=2>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD><TD>Ryan Miller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1549)</TD><TD align=right>59</TD><TD align=right>29</TD><TD align=right>140</TD><TD align=right>2.44</TD><TD align=right>3</TD><TD align=right>1500</TD><TD align=right>.915</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Jocelyn Thibault (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=936)</TD><TD align=right>10</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>27</TD><TD align=right>3.71</TD><TD align=right>1</TD><TD align=right>166</TD><TD align=right>.860</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=gamehead><TD align=middle colSpan=8>Team Stat Leaders</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD> </TD><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/mon.gif</TD><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>G</TD><TD>Alexei Kovalev (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=475) 29</TD><TD>Thomas Vanek (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3045) 26</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>A</TD><TD>Andrei Markov (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=574) 37</TD><TD>Jason Pominville (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1531) 39</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>PTS</TD><TD>Alexei Kovalev (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=475) 63</TD><TD>Jason Pominville (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1531) 58</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>PIM</TD><TD>Tom Kostopoulos (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1355) 102</TD><TD>Andrew Peters (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1986) 85</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>SOG</TD><TD>Christopher Higgins (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2097) 195</TD><TD>Thomas Vanek (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3045) 195</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=280229002

[raphael120]

Let's go Sabres!!!!

[RockStar36]

I expect at least 5 points from Bernier

[RockStar36]

I think I'm gonna stop looking at conference standings for the time being. The Sabres can even up on GP with Ottawa and if they win tonight they would only be 5 points back from the division. Screw 8th place.

[JD]

Let's go Sabres!!!!
Let's Go Buffalo!!!*

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

just got home, DVR'd the Ch 2 news skipped to the Sports.

Ed Kilgore is reporting that Drew Stafford is back in the lineup tonight MacArthur is a healthy scratch, MacArthur is in Lindy's doghouse. Also Maxim Afinogenov might be in the lineup if Mair can't go he's nursing an ankle when he blocked a shot against Nashville's Gary Suter in the 8-4 Sabres win against the Predators on Wednesday night.

[SabreEleven]

Good thing the Sabres are wearing white tonight or I would have never known the Canadiens were in our division. :rolleyes:

[helmetguy]

Count on a lot of stoppages in this one. Fraser still has a whistle....not a good omen.

[Nighthawk]

Well, so far the Sabres are playing like crap. They need to pick it up and get the two points!

[raphael120]

Uh yeah....need to show some urgency because we could be out of the playoffs any week now.

[helmetguy]

Almost looks like they have puck panic again.

[Nighthawk]

This team seems to just buckle when they play teams above them. It's frustrating to watch.

[Nighthawk]

This team looks like they're f'n asleep!

[helmetguy]

This team looks like they're f'n asleep!

I like they way they're hitting. It just seems they wet themselves when they find the puck on their sticks.

[Nighthawk]

I like they way they're hitting. It just seems they wet themselves when they find the puck on their sticks.

I agree. The guys have to be stronger with the puck on their sticks. They're playing like a bunch of little girls.

[Nighthawk]

Oh yeah, and Miller is again playing badly. He is so inconsistent that it makes you sick.

[helmetguy]

FINALLY!!!

[Nighthawk]

Miller needs to get his head out of his a$$!!!

[Nighthawk]

Miller is really making me doubt whether or not he is worth the money. Too many off days.

[helmetguy]

Miller needs to get his head out of his a$$!!!

That Montreal Power Play is damned pretty....damnit!

[Nighthawk]

That Montreal Power Play is damned pretty....damnit!

Miller's fault. He bobbled an easy shot right before the goal.

[helmetguy]

CRRRRRUUUUUUUUNCH!

[helmetguy]

Say good night....that Power Play is just too good.

[Nighthawk]

Well, another PP...probably means another soft goal let in by Miller. We will see.

[helmetguy]

Like I just said....they just move the puck too well with the man advantage.

[Nighthawk]

Guess I was right! Sorry, Miller is not earning a bigger contract.

[helmetguy]

Well, another PP...probably means another soft goal let in by Miller. We will see.

Soft hell. That woulda beaten Brodeur.

[Nighthawk]

Soft hell. That woulda beaten Brodeur.

No, it wouldn't. That tip was far enough out to stop. Sorry, he's not playing well tonight...AGAIN!

[helmetguy]

I agree, he's not at the top of his game, but give the Habs their due. They have an EXCELLENT power play. Puck movement and precision passing. The Sabres haven't a clue as to how to solve it.

[Nighthawk]

I agree, he's not at the top of his game, but give the Habs their due. They have an EXCELLENT power play. Puck movement and precision passing. The Sabres haven't a clue as to how to solve it.

I agree, but Miller is absolutely killing this team tonight. By the way, Washington is winning and will be closer to moving over the Sabres. This team has to nut up at some point and beat a team that is above them. This team has been brutal against good teams.

[Nighthawk]

Pathetic...just pathetic.

[helmetguy]

Yes, they DO have to nut up. Just the same, they have to play a lot more under control. They're still trying to rely on speed, and it isn't working. If anything, they're too fast for their own good. They're even outskating the ice.

[Mitchy moo]

Miller played terrible.

[Michael82]

HORRIBLE GAME! Waste of my money. This team sucks against the really good teams. They should be ashamed of themselves for the way they played, everyone except Vanek. Total domination!!! :mad:

:puke: