Matt Hackett Gets Start As Sabres Take On Bruins

As the Buffalo Sabres continue their occupancy of last place in the standings, they travel to Beantown to take on the Boston Bruins.

Jan 30, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Nick Bonino (13) moves the puck against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Matt Hackett (31) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Following a point-earning 4-3 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals, Anders Lindback is showing that he deserves the starting minutes once Buffalo gets their direction straightened out. In his six games with Buffalo, Lindback has posted a 2.70 save percentage, stopping at least 30 shots per game.

But the flare from Lindback has not transferred over to the past record of Buffalo, who have gone 2-5-3 in the past 10 games. Lindback, despite decent numbers, hasn’t yet earned two points for the blue and gold.

However, Lindback will take a seat tonight, for Matt Hackett will make the appearance in net. Playing on the same ice that set him back with a grusome ACL tear last season, Hackett will get his third chance in the Buffalo net this season.

It’s clear that Buffalo fans are split when it comes to this skid. Half of the fan base wants a chance, a chance, at Connor McDavid. Tons of people on Twitter have blown up each and every time Buffalo wins or takes it to overtime or a shootout. Just because they want a 20% chance of taking the top pick.

Besides a rant about the odds and how Buffalo will likely get bumped from the top spot, this is a time for many Sabres to prove that they deserve to be here, or if they are better off with another team that Tim Murray can trade for and bring in some new players.

Despite a huge list of injuries, Buffalo still has some hope in Tyler Ennis, who has stepped up huge with the deficit of the roster, leading Buffalo with 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points. In the absence of fellow line mate Zemgus Girgensons, Ennis has really stepped up his game in the absence, going for three goals and two assists in the past five games.

Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta have also stepped up a bit.

Gionta hasn’t had what you would call a memorable year, but he has been the big brother that everyone needs in the locker room. He added an assist to Ennis’ powerplay goal last night, his 13th of the season.

Moulson hasn’t been a huge contributor goal wise, but a huge helper in other’s scoring. His 10 goals and 24 assists are good for second on the team with 34 points. In any case with this team, it is hard to get a massive amount of points, considering that scoring has been the biggest issue for this team.

On Boston’s side, the Bruins have elected to go with Tuuka Rask’s backup in Niklas Svedberg in net for tonights game.

The 25-year old Svedberg will look for his eighth win this season, while Boston gives Rask a rest as they try to keep control of the last Wild Card spot and close in on the Capitals.

Boston has really built a hard to beat team, enjoying the consistent effort of leader Patrice Bergeron, who leads the team with 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points. Next up is defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who’s 30 assists from the blue line have really kicked this team into a playoff contending position.

After that, Loui Eriksson, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand all all fighting for the third spot overall. Eriksson and Lucic are tied with 39 points and Marchand has 38.

Buffalo will really have to up the ante on coverage tonight, as the Boston Bruins have a nose to the grindstone mentality. Something that can kill a team almost immediately if they don’t handle it right. Tonight’s game will be broadcasted on NBC Sports and the puck drop will be at 7:30 p.m.

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