There are only two teams left in the National Hockey League that do not have a point in the standings. The Buffalo Sabre and the Carolina Hurricanes. That fortune will change tonight as these two teams face off on national television. NBC has to be scratching its head wondering what sort of ratings this game might bring about, as two of the six teams without a victory this season face off.
When you pit two struggling hockey teams against one another however, you have the possibility of a good hockey game, as both teams will be trying to break the funk that they are mired in, and sloppy play by both teams could lead to some very interesting chances on both ends of the ice.
Puck Prose
Expect Jhonas Enroth back in the net today after Michal Neuvirth got absolutely peppered in the net last night – something the Buffalo Sabres will have to curtail if they are going to keep their goaltenders alive this season. Enroth has a might big task in front of him, as teh Buffalo Sabres are looking for their first win in Raleigh since November 18, 2011. A loss tonight means five losses in a row in Carolina, something they haven’t done against this franchise since losing six in a row against the Whalers/Hurricanes in Hartford/Raleigh between April of 1995 and April of 1997.
Don’t confuse my patience with avoidance.-Ted Nolan
Ted Nolan was noticeably unhappy with his team – and he might be realizing now that a roster shakeup is in order for this team. Plenty of defensive players could need a night in the press box to wake their games up – and Nikita Zadorov would be willing to step in and prove his worth to the organization. While the Buffalo Sabres look to shuffle the lines to find something that works, a patchwork hurricane is happening in Carolina.
Injuries to top forwards continues to be the storyline for the Hurricanes. Already without Jeff Skinner (concussion) and Jordan Staal (broken leg), add to that list Eric Staal (upper body) and Patrick Dwyer (lower body) will be unavailable for tonight’s game. Zach Boychuk has been called up from the Charlotte Checkers .
This will not be the first meeting of the teams this year, despite this being the first regular season meeting of three. The Buffalo Sabres split the pre season schedule with the Hurricanes 1-1, despite being outscored 5-3 in those two preseason contests.
One of our FanSided writers will be taking the reins for the Canes Baton Instagram account. Follow along with a picture by picture blow of the action by our very own KP Kelly of Cardiac Cane as she gets to take pictures of her two favorite teams, the Buffalo Sabres and the Carolina Hurricanes.
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In an effort to appease KP since I blasphemed her by saying she was a Buffalo Sabres fan – I figured I would ask her for a behind the scenes look at the Carolina Hurricanes, and this is what she had to say:
"For real though, we are seeing improvement on the power play, which is something I was desperate to see. There is already a noticeable difference with Tim Gleason back in the line-up. He looks stronger and faster than he did a couple seasons ago. Watch Rask this season. He should be fun to watch."
I still owe her a six pack of local brew from last season – that she will get eventually, so this year, to keep the tradition of our little rivalry and humiliating each other – we haven’t decided on a prize/humiliation yet, but will let you know.