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Defensive Struggle

February 1, 2012, 6:57 PM ET [394 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
6:55pm

Not literally. Figuratively.

Its likely that Drew Stafford is the unidentified Sabres forward who was under the weather this morning.

If its the case, then #kickassian will skate with Ennis and Gerbe. Luke Adam will skate in place of Vanek.



The pre game twirl is moments away. I'll confirm for you then.


***


7:00pm


Both teams take the ice for the skate.

There's Adam and Kassian.

No Stafford. I'm guessing its the same flu bug that has bitten Leopold, Kaleta, Vanek and others in the past two weeks.

***



7:20pm:

Sabres scratches are Stafford, Vanek and Gragnani.


***

23-9-29 start with 6-44
42-63-54-24-57
22-28-36-3-10 get two good chances on Hank
8-72-37-44-6 get action in Rags zone



***

First Period:


Very cautious first ten minutes where both teams took turns feeling one another out.


Sabres were unimpressive on the 5 on 3 advantage that the Rags handed them. So-so entries, no shots.

**
Poor Kelly Sutherland. He got popped in the squash by a Leopold shot.




***

Sabres win period on strength of their fore check and their pressure on the Rags D that led to a couple of nice chances. Lundquvist was sharp in the first twenty minutes.


Sabres led shots 11-9.

****

Second Period:

Lundqvist and Miller are the stars of this show. Both teams played Tuesday, which generally lends itself to a defensive posture on the second night.

Miller has made several point blank stops on Richards, Gaborik, and company.

It should be noted that the Sabres D has improved tremendously now that Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff have returned from injury.


Shots on goal after 40:

19 apiece


****
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