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Who needs Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel when the Buffalo Sabres have Samson Reinhart?
The second overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft is absolutely dominating all opposition at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
Tonight in Toronto, Samson scored his tourney leading ninth point on this exquisite pass from his line mate Anthony Duclair (NY Rangers). Reinhart, Oscar Lindholm (SWE) and William Nylander (SWE) are all tied for the scoring lead with nine points apiece.
Thanks, @PeteBlackburn
The line of Duclair-Reinhart-Domi have been killing it in their first four games of this tourney. I rise up out of my seat every time they step onto the ice. This trio is electric!
Speaking of the aforementioned McDavid, look at this disgusting pass he made from his belly to Curtiz Lazar in the slot for Canada's first goal against the Danes. McDavid blew a shoe and continued to concentrate and executed a splendid pass for the goal.
Thanks, @PeteBlackburn
Draft eligible power forward Lawson Crouse made it 3-0.
Thanks, @PeteBlackburn
Connor McDavid is bringin' sexy back, yep! 4-0
Thanks, @PeteBlackburn
Curtis Lazar made it 5-0 and blew a kiss to Joey Hicketts. 5-0
Thanks, @PeteBlackburn
Nick Paul made it 6-0
Thanks, Sabres.com
The Buffalo Sabres will host the Florida Panthers tonight.
Michal Neuvirth was the first goal off the ice and will more than likely start tonight's game.
Good news for the Sabres as Rasmus Ristolainen and Tyler Myers are participating in the morning skate.
Myers is not expected to play against Florida. However, Ristolainen is expected to play tonight with Nikita Zadorov. He missed the past couple of games due to an illness.
Ristolainen was stricken with an illness during a game on December 29 and has missed the past 2 games.
A lower body injury sent Myers to the IR on December 21. He has missed the past 5 games.
Tyson Strachan returned to the lineup on New Year's Eve. He skated 19:41 TOI vs. Tampa and was -1. Strachan had missed two weeks due to a lower body injury.
8 defensemen including Myers at morning skate. Also skating: Benoit, Gorges, Meszaros, Ristolainen, Strachan, Weber, Zadorov. #FLAvsBUF
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 2, 2015
Mark Pysyk was sent back to Rochester on New Year's Day.
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The Sabres and Panthers have had 11 of their last 13 games decided by one goal, including 6 overtime extravaganzas. The Sabres are 12-4-3 in 1-goal games.
â—¾Last meeting: Buffalo defeated Florida, 3-2 (OT), in Buffalo on December 13. â—¾The Sabres are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games vs. the Panthers; 4-5-1 at home. â—¾This is the 83rd game all-time between Buffalo and Florida; Buffalo has a 45-30-7 series record. â—¾The Sabres are 25-13-4 at home against the Panthers all-time.
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Ted Nolan shook up his lines at Thursday's practice in hopes of creating more offense. Here are the trios that skated on Friday morning:
Moulson-Girgensons-Ennis Flynn-Grigorenko-Stewart Hodgson-Larsson-Stafford Deslauriers-McCormick-Kaleta
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Its like deja vu, all over again. For the second straight year, Team USA will battle Team Russia today's quarterfinals of the IIHF World Junior Championship.
USA head coach will ride his hot goalie Thatcher Demko in the first game of the playoff round against Russia. Demko lost to Samson Reinhart and Team Canada on New Year's Eve, however, he was voted Player of the Game after making 40 saves in a 5-3 loss (two empty-net goals).
Demko has been full value of the young Americans at the WJCs. He has a 1.31 GAA and .955 save %.
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Detroit Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin (1st round 2014) enters the quarterfinals as the tourney's leading goal scorer. Larkin has scored five goals and now sits just one point behind tournament leading scorer Samson Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres 1st round 2014) with seven points.
The winner of today’s game will play the winner of Sweden-v- Finland in the semifinals at the ACC in Toronto on Sunday.
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The Russians like to create quick-strike offensive from its pressure defense in all three zones. They also love to work with the man advantage. USA will want to stay out of the box.
The Americans will be wise to protect the puck and to limit their turnovers.
The American offense struggled to get chances on Eric Comrie and the Canadians on New Years Eve in Montreal. Two third period goals helped team USA to compete with Canada until the final horn. Jack Eichel, Sonny Milano, Alex Tuch, Hudson Fasching and the young Americans will want to bury their chances early on against Russia so that they are not scrambling in the late stages.
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