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Loukas Final ENTRY Before we Pick Our NEXT GREAT SABRES BLOGGER! |
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Game day preview - Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins, Thursday April 29th, 2021, 7:00 PM ET.
The Buffalo Sabres continue their road trip with a visit to Boston to face the big bad Bruins. These teams will be playing against each other for the fifth time since the Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar in exchange of Anders Bjork and a second-round pick trade.
Buffalo will try to end their 2-game losing streak while Boston will look to extend their 4-game home winning streak. The first 3 games against Buffalo after the trade deadline were victories for the Bruins, a 3-2 shootout victory at home, followed by a 2-0 shutout and a 5-1 victory in Buffalo. Buffalo responded in a big way with a 6-4 victory last Friday led by Sam Reinhart’s hat trick and Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen’s first NHL victory in his baptism by fire.
Who’s hot
Sam Reinhart has been hot for the past month. He has scored nice goals in the past 10 games. I see Sam as a future captain if Eichel were to be traded in the offseason or next season before his no movement clause kicks in. Casey Mittelstadt is another player on fire lately with five goals and three assists in his last 11 games.
The party crashers
The Buffalo Sabers are playing without any pressure and are basically auditioning for a spot on next year’s roster. The Boston Bruins are fighting with the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot in the East division. While Boston has a 4-point lead and two games in hand on the Rangers, Buffalo can spoil the party and make things more interesting until the end if they come out victorious at TD Garden.
There is nothing harder than winning on the road against a division rival. This type of game can help the team bond and become more confident if they come away with a hard-fought win.
Big bad Buffalo with the help of The Workhorse from Whitehorse
Dylan Cozens mentioned after last game against the New York Rangers that he wasn’t pleased with his play lately and that he wanted to get more involved. Cozens dropped the gloves after a hit to Drake Caggiula to defend his teammate and inspire the team. I see Dylan Cozens, the Workhorse from Whitehorse, as another possible future captain or assistant captain on the squad with the leadership skills and the passion he has for the game. Let’s see if Dylan Cozens takes out his frustration on the Bruins with a Gordie Howe hat trick!
Probable lineup
Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen will start tonight for the second straight game. I like this move and I think it is important to give him several starts before the end of the season so he can have a great off season and come to camp hungry for a job next season. He seems confident on the ice and to have a calming influence on his teammates which bodes well for the future.
Tage Thompson will play with Rieder and Sheahan following his costly penalty in last Tuesday’s game against the Rangers. Drake Caggiula will play with Asplund and Mittelstadt, taking Tage Thompson’s previous spot.
Prediction
Buffalo and Boston have a solid playoff type game; Sabres win 3-1.
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