Just how bad is it going to get in Buffalo? That’s the million-dollar question. Ryan Miller continues to boost his trade value despite being on a team that’s 1-9-1. Thomas Vanek could be on his way out of town too. Where they go and what Buffalo might get in exchange remains to be seen.
Since those guys are still wearing yellow and blue, they took the ice and got thumped by Boston 5-2. Miller made 29 saves on the night but Torey Krug and Milan Lucic each beat him twice. Dougie Hamilton had the other goal for the Bruins. Cody Hodgson and Nikita Zadorov scored for Buffalo. Zadorov’s goal came on his first shot in the NHL.
When the Sabres started four teenagers in this game, you know the franchise is in trouble. Once you get past Miller, Vanek and maybe Hodgson there just sin’t much of any fantasy value on this team.
In the other game of the night Ottawa dumped on Detroit to the tune of 6-1. Jason Spezza and Bobby Ryan each scored twice for Ottawa while Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson each had two assists. All told, 13 of 18 skaters for Ottawa registered a point. Todd Bertuzzi scored the lone goal for Detroit.
Craig Anderson turned away 31-of-32 shots for the win. Jimmy Howard was yanked after allowing three goals on eight shots in 14:14 of the first period. Jonas Gustavsson came on in relief and wasn’t much better (17-of-20).
Ottawa showed what it can potentially do on offense with a season-high six goals. I doubt they can get there again for a while but it shows the potential they have.
Thursday we have a huge set of games. Per usual, all times are Eastern.
San Jose at Boston 7pm
Vancouver at New Jersey 7pm
NY Rangers at Philadelphia 7pm
Anaheim at Montreal 730pm
Chicago at Tampa Bay 730pm
Winnipeg at Nashville 8pm
Carolina at Minnesota 8pm
Calgary at Dallas 830pm
Washington at Edmonton 930pm
Phoenix at Los Angeles 1030pm
