john1981cr
Joined: 16 Aug 2006
Posts: 111
|
| Tell a Friend Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject: Thursday's NHL Spotlight Game |
|
|
By Rich Carlson
Inspin.com/WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Buffalo Sabres (24-7-2) at Nashville Predators (23-8-3), 8 p.m. ET
Two of the top three teams in the NHL will square off for the first time this season tonight when the Buffalo Sabres travel to the Gaylord Entertainment Center to face the Nashville Predators. Buffalo has compiled a 24-7-2 record this season and sits in first place in the Northwest Division by five points over second-place Montreal. Nashville is in first place in the Central Division by five points over second-place Detroit.
After a stretch where they lost four out of five games, the Predators have come back to win their last 5 contests. LW Paul Kariya scored two goals in their last victory and may have found his goal scoring touch. RW Steve Sullivan has tallied 11 goals and 21 assists for the leagueʼs 6th-ranked offensive unit (3.21 goals per game). With starting G Tomas Vokoun out with a thumb injury, backup G Chris Mason has filled in admirably with a 12-4 record, a 2.31 goals against average and a superb .927 save percentage.
Even though the Sabres rank No. 1 in the NHL in goals scored per game (3.73), their high-flying offense has sputtered a bit in recent games as the Sabres have only scored 12 goals in their last 6 games. The Sabres' offensive balance is amazing as they have 14 players who have scored 10 or more points and 5 players with 13 or more goals. G Ryan Miller has been the beneficiary of the Sabres' offense and has recorded 17 wins with a mediocre 2.71 goals against average.
This will be the first matchup between the Sabres and Predators this season.
Injury report
Buffalo: C Tim Connolly (concussion) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely; D Henrik Tallinder (wrist) is on injured reserve and will be out until late December.
Nashville: C Vernon Fiddler (shoulder) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least early January; RW Scottie Upshall (groin) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least early January; G Vokoun (thumb) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late December
.
News & notes
The Philadelphia Flyers acquired F Mike York from the New York Islanders for C Randy Robitaille and a 5th-round pick in next yearʼs entry draft. |
|
