Drew Stafford is a man on a mission. He's collected 16 points in the past 18 games and has been hotter than a pistol lately.
Stafford is scoring with regularity because he's shooting the puck with authority. When Stafford is focused and playing well, he shoots from all angles. Earlier this season, when he was mired in an ugly scoring slump, he was content to pass the puck and get rid of it when he had possession of it.
In his NHL career, Stafford has head his best success when he's loose and lobbing shots on enemy goalies.
In 2007-08, he took 103 shots and scored 13 goals. In 2008-09, he scored 20 goals on 183 shots. In 2009-10, he scored 14 goals on 181 shots. In 2010-11, he scored career high 31 goals on 179 shots. In 2011-12, he scored 20 goals on 226 shots. In 2012-13, he scored 6 goals on just 121 shots.
Stafford has taken 156 shots on goal and has scored 14 goals this season.
The more he shoots, the more he scores.
Were it not for Stafford and Tyler Ennis scoring goals with frequency, the Sabres would be worse off than they are right now.
Stafford and Ennis have scored the past six goals for Buffalo and 10 of the last 11 goals scored.
***
Stafford says he and his teammates are playing for pride right now.
Thanks, Oilers TV
**
Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins won't have Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov in his lineup tonight when the Sabres come calling.
“We’re one spot ahead of them,… Oilers Head Coach Dallas Eakins said. “We’re not taking anybody lightly. We want to come out and have a good start against them, keep up with the good habits we’ve really instilled in our game over the last little bit and I don’t care what team you play in this league, They’re dangerous. It’s the NHL so I don’t expect our guys to take anybody lightly.…
Energy forward Matt Hendricks will be a game-time decision. Jesse Joensuu won't play either due to a high-ankle sprain.
****