Game 10: Sabres/Lightning Preview

“We don’t lose two at home,” center Derek Roy said. “That’s one of our mottos all season long.”

Thats basically all you have to know about the mindframe the Sabres are in heading into tonight's game against the Mulleted One. Coming off of last Monday's drubbing against the Senators, the Sabres have to focus on beating one of the worst teams to start the season this year. The Lightning are 2-3-3 starting the season, but have won 2 of their last three against Toronto and Atlanta. The main problem with the Lightning is that the team is still getting to know each other due to the massive lineup turnover the team saw. The Lightning this offseason brought in 16 or 17 new players, mostly on the offensive side, to bolster what was a bad team last year. This offense is averaging a minuscule 1.75 goals/game which is good for last in the league.

The Sabres are going to be ready to play this game. Game time is 7:00 pm at the Bank. Here are the stats

Buffalo

Stat Leaders
Goals - Vanek (8)
Assists - Afinogenov (7)
Points - Vanek (11)
Plus/Minus - Vanek (+5)
Penalty Minutes - Mair (35)
Shots - Vanek (43)

Special Teams
Power Play - 21.6% (7th in League)
Penalty Kill - 90.2% (4th in League)

Goaltending
Miller: 5-0-1, 1.60 GAA, .940 SV%
Lalime: 1-1-1, 2.59 GAA, .910 SV%

Tampa Bay

Stat Leaders
Goals - Lecavalier (5)
Assists - Prospal, St. Louis (4)
Points - Lecavalier, Prospal (6)
Plus/Minus - Prospal (+4)
Penalty Minutes - Malone (24)
Shots - Lecavalier (33)

Special Teams
Power Play - 10.8% (29th in League)
Penalty Kill - 84.3% (11th in League)

Goaltending
Smith: 2-2-2, 2.11 GAA, .942 SV%
Kolzig: 0-1-1, 3.00 GAA, .920 SV%