Buffalo Sabres Recalls Face A Big Test Against Canucks
As the Buffalo Sabres went on to win their last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they lost their top two forwards in Zemgus Girgensons and Tyler Ennis. With those two out, the Sabres have called up forwards Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from Rochester.
Dalpe and Varone are amongst some of the other call-ups from the Americans; including Johan Larsson and Mark Pysyk. These three are players that have had to pay their dues to have a shot tonight, and I doubt there will be much disappointment.
The Sabres face off against the Vancouver Canucks. Here is a quick look at both teams.
Buffalo Sabres Scope
Having lost their top two scorers, the leading goal scorer for the Buffalo Sabres is currently Chris Stewart. He will man the top line alongside center Brian Flynn and winger Marcus Foligno. That line will look to take a chunk out of the Vancouver top line of the Sedin Twins and perhaps cause some havoc.
The Sabres third line will consist of Phil Varone, Zac Dalpe, and Johan Larsson. These three are all Rochester call-ups and will be trying to make a difference tonight as some secondary scoring. Between them all this season they have a combined 26 games played, 4 points, and three goals. Larsson has played the most games of the three, but Zac Dalpe will have some fire in him tonight due to the fact that Vancouver is his former team.
Starting in goal for the Buffalo Sabres will be Michal Neuvirth as he makes his seventh straight start.
Canucks Scope
The long awaited return of Ryan Miller to Buffalo, New York, and First Niagara Center will have to wait for some time longer due to his injury. The Canucks lost their starting goaltender this past week as he suffered a collision with his own player. They will turn to their backup Eddie Lack for a win tonight as they are still fighting to maintain a playoff spot.
As always, the Swedish twins Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin will be at the forefront of the offensive push for the Canucks, but the Sabres cannot overlook the prowess and skill of the second line featuring Nick Bonino. The amount of scoring chances that both lines can generate will be a thorn in the Sabres gameplay if they aren’t responsible.
Predictions
In the end, the Buffalo Sabres rookies will be the key to winning tonight’s game. They will need to step up and makes some NHL level decisions and avoid intimidation from the opposition.
If the Sabres rookies have a good game tonight then I’ll predict a Sabres win by a score of 3-2, but if they let the Sedin Twins pick them apart like their mother’s Swedish meatballs then they better hope Neuvirth stands on his head once again or else it will be a whopping score of 4-0.
I know who I’m rooting for tonight.
LET’S GO SABRES!!
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