The Bruins (23-9-2) will go up against the biggest joke team in the league, the Buffalo Sabres (8-23-3), tonight in Buffalo with their eyes on those two points and extending our win streak to two.
I don't like to get overly confident when the Bruins play, because anything can happen during a hockey game. But let's be honest here, the Sabres are absolutely atrocious (and despite me being bias due to the numerous issues we've had with them, this fact is undisputable). When I say biggest joke team in the league, I'm not kidding. These clowns are sitting at the bottom of the division, conference and league with a measly 19 points. They've got a -39 goal differential, are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and are 5-12-2 at home this season.
I don't like to get overly confident when the Bruins play, because anything can happen during a hockey game. But let's be honest here, the Sabres are absolutely atrocious (and despite me being bias due to the numerous issues we've had with them, this fact is undisputable). When I say biggest joke team in the league, I'm not kidding. These clowns are sitting at the bottom of the division, conference and league with a measly 19 points. They've got a -39 goal differential, are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and are 5-12-2 at home this season.
Out of the 28 guys on the Sabres roster, 24 of them have a negative rating while on the ice, ranging from Mike Weber's -15 to Patrick Kaleta's -1. The team at this point is averaging around one goal scored per game while their opponents are averaging around 3. Not even their head hunting, concussion causing "enforcers" have done much to jump start this team. Their offense is a joke. Their defense is a joke. Kaleta, Ott and Scott are jokes. The only guy who was only kind of a joke they traded. So, all in all, this entire organization is (wait for it) a joke.
The only possible upside you might be able to see on this team is Ryan Miller and that's kind of pathetic. But, for a guy who has no help out in front, Miller is doing pretty well. He's got a 2.87 GAA and a .921 SV%, which is actually better than some teams' goalies that are ahead of the Sabres in the standings. He's probably going to be our biggest problem tonight as long as he stays in his damn crease. The last thing we need is more moaning groaning Sabres fans complaining about how Lucic is a dirty player because Miller was stupid enough to get in the way of a train.
The other big problem we might have is our guys having to watch their heads when public enemies one, two and three are on the ice (unless they all mysteriously come down with some sort of douche bag targeting plague, which might just be the best Christmas present the league has ever gotten).
Despite it being known league wide that the Sabres suck, the Bruins can't let this get into their head. We can't afford to go into this game thinking it's going to be an easy win (even though, in reality, it should be). We have to go into this game like we would any other because we all know what happens when the Bruins get arrogant and start playing down to our opponents.
Johnson is going to be our starting goaltender tonight and I'm not at all worried about it. Johnson has a 2.17 GAA (solely due to that horrible game against the Canucks) and .921 SV%. He is more than capable of taking on an abysmal offense.
The only possible upside you might be able to see on this team is Ryan Miller and that's kind of pathetic. But, for a guy who has no help out in front, Miller is doing pretty well. He's got a 2.87 GAA and a .921 SV%, which is actually better than some teams' goalies that are ahead of the Sabres in the standings. He's probably going to be our biggest problem tonight as long as he stays in his damn crease. The last thing we need is more moaning groaning Sabres fans complaining about how Lucic is a dirty player because Miller was stupid enough to get in the way of a train.
The other big problem we might have is our guys having to watch their heads when public enemies one, two and three are on the ice (unless they all mysteriously come down with some sort of douche bag targeting plague, which might just be the best Christmas present the league has ever gotten).
Despite it being known league wide that the Sabres suck, the Bruins can't let this get into their head. We can't afford to go into this game thinking it's going to be an easy win (even though, in reality, it should be). We have to go into this game like we would any other because we all know what happens when the Bruins get arrogant and start playing down to our opponents.
Johnson is going to be our starting goaltender tonight and I'm not at all worried about it. Johnson has a 2.17 GAA (solely due to that horrible game against the Canucks) and .921 SV%. He is more than capable of taking on an abysmal offense.
Tonight's game should be interesting though since we sent Kevan Miller and Cunningham back down to Providence and called up Warsofsky. For those wondering, Miller was sent back to Providence because tonight's game would have been his 10th and had he played in it he could be subject to waivers and the organization was not willing to risk losing him yet. In any case, Warsofsky will make his debut tonight wearing #79 and will more than likely be filling for Adam McQuaid in the defensive pairings.
Again, there's not much to say about tonight's game because as long as the Bruins don't totally forget how to play hockey and avoid letting idiots one, two and three get under their skin, this game should be a breeze. We just need to stick to the physical game we usually play and focus on taking advantage of the holes in both their offense and defense. The Sabres lack depth and really talent on their wings so the Bruins should definitely take advantage of the openings that will present themselves there. Also, Miller has some trouble protecting his five hole so the goal of the Bruins tonight should be to get Miller to move in order to open that slot up. This will be easier to do if we get big bodies like Chara and Lucic in front and keep shooting from the point (Krug will come in handy in this capacity).
Again, there's not much to say about tonight's game because as long as the Bruins don't totally forget how to play hockey and avoid letting idiots one, two and three get under their skin, this game should be a breeze. We just need to stick to the physical game we usually play and focus on taking advantage of the holes in both their offense and defense. The Sabres lack depth and really talent on their wings so the Bruins should definitely take advantage of the openings that will present themselves there. Also, Miller has some trouble protecting his five hole so the goal of the Bruins tonight should be to get Miller to move in order to open that slot up. This will be easier to do if we get big bodies like Chara and Lucic in front and keep shooting from the point (Krug will come in handy in this capacity).
My three guys to watch tonight are:
1.David Warsofsky: I'm really interested to see how Warsofsky is going to mesh with the Bruins very physical defensive style considering that he's Krug's height, although if Krug can do it I'm going to hope Warsofsky can too. This game is obviously huge for him because it's also going to show whether or not he's going to be someone we'll call up continually if we need him.
2. Torey Krug: Kruger's shots from the point are going to be crucial tonight in scoring and setting up opportunities in front of an already vulnerable Miller. His play making ability from the blue line could be the difference maker. His speed is also going to be important since he's more than capable of out skating the large guys on the Sabres if need be, which will come in handy when he's trying to make plays or create turnovers.
3. Milan Lucic: We all know the level of disdain Lucic holds toward the Sabres after all the nonsense following the Miller incident. But his physicality and his ability to drive to the net due to his sheer size is going to put him in perfect position to not only screen Miller but to keep pressure on him. He's also going to be an important physical presence on the ice since we're still missing Sean Thornton.
1.David Warsofsky: I'm really interested to see how Warsofsky is going to mesh with the Bruins very physical defensive style considering that he's Krug's height, although if Krug can do it I'm going to hope Warsofsky can too. This game is obviously huge for him because it's also going to show whether or not he's going to be someone we'll call up continually if we need him.
2. Torey Krug: Kruger's shots from the point are going to be crucial tonight in scoring and setting up opportunities in front of an already vulnerable Miller. His play making ability from the blue line could be the difference maker. His speed is also going to be important since he's more than capable of out skating the large guys on the Sabres if need be, which will come in handy when he's trying to make plays or create turnovers.
3. Milan Lucic: We all know the level of disdain Lucic holds toward the Sabres after all the nonsense following the Miller incident. But his physicality and his ability to drive to the net due to his sheer size is going to put him in perfect position to not only screen Miller but to keep pressure on him. He's also going to be an important physical presence on the ice since we're still missing Sean Thornton.
Score Prediction: 5-1 Bruins Win
Until the end of the game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!