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Game 19 Preview: Lightning vs. Sabres

February 25, 2013, 11:50 PM ET [24 Comments]
Michael Stuart
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced another sellout for the Sabres game. So far this season, the Tampa Bay Times Forum has been full every time the Lightning have taken to the ice. Cheers to you, Bolts Nation!

Win one, lose one. Win a few, lose a bunch. In short, that sums up the first chunk of the 2013 National Hockey League season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. For a team that came into the year with so much promise, the results on the scoreboard have been disappointing. If the Lightning truly want to view themselves as a contender now, and in the future, they need to turn things around sooner rather than later. It could all start on Tuesday night.

The Buffalo Sabres are in town for their first meeting of the season with the Lightning. So far this season, the Sabres have been anything but impressive. Despite some big names, and big salaries laden throughout the lineup, the Sabres have disappointed. With a record of 6-12-1, it’s pretty apparent that things aren’t overly rosy in Buffalo. Lindy Ruff was fired, the players are frustrated, and the team just seems to be missing something.

If you ask my friend Andy Park, who blogs here at MyHockeyBuzz, the Sabres have been “sloppy, awful, lackadaisical, and passive.” Harsh words, but arguably on point. For Sabres Nation, the 2013 season has been hard. For the Lightning, Tuesday night’s contest provides a prime opportunity to get back in the win column against one of those “should beat” teams.

Despite losing their last contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Lightning come into tonight’s tilt with three wins in their last five games. While that’s hardly eye-popping or fantastic, it should be noted that the team’s process has been good in the last couple of games. The Lightning played a full sixty minutes against the Carolina Hurricanes, and then showed a great deal of heart and resiliency against the Pittsburgh Penguins despite some ineffective goaltending from Anders Lindback.

On the other hand, the Sabres come into this game having lost four straight; they find themselves in last place in the Eastern Conference. As mentioned, confidence isn’t exactly high within the Sabres’ room. It’s painfully obvious in interviews, and on the ice that the Sabres are at their wit’s end.

Recent history between these two teams isn’t doing the Sabres any favors either. Last season, the Lightning managed a 3-1-0 record against them. However, if it’s any consolation, the one Lightning loss did take place at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Also working against the Sabres is the fact that the Lightning’s offensive guns are hot right now. Steven Stamkos has scored in five straight games, and currently leads the league in goals (13) and points (29). Since his mini slump during the Lightning’s losing streak, Stamkos has done everything for his team. He’s playing with confidence, and there are few players in the league more dangerous than #91 when playing with said confidence.

While the Sabres might look incredibly beatable on paper, it’s important that the Lightning treat them just as they would any other opponent. With names like Thomas Vanek, Cody Hodgson, Ryan Miller, and Tyler Myers on the roster, this Sabres group is a whole lot more dangerous than its record indicates.

Now is not the time for the Bolts to take their foot off the gas. This team needs more sixty minute efforts, and more complete performances. Currently tied for the division lead, the Lightning desperately need a win to keep pace with the Carolina Hurricanes, who currently hold a game in hand.

As always, thanks for reading. Predictions?
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