Overview:

The Rangers are the best team in the NHL two weeks into the new season. Team defense, diversified scoring and great goaltending are always a sure recipe for success. Chris Drury has his teammates giving 100%, and the talent on this roster is showing. Losing some high-end, high-maintenance players in the offseason did not hurt this lineup one bit.

The Sabres, for their part, sport their own perfect record at 2 - 0 – 0. One win against the dreadful NY Islanders is not worth commenting on, but the Sabres did handle an excellent Montreal Canadiens team in their season opener. The Candiens did not lay down, they played their game. They were fast, sharp and fun to watch, but Buffalo was just better. The Sabres are playing with a nasty taste in their mouths from a LONG offseason, and Lindy Ruff has this team committed to defense from which offense will spring. New captain, Craig Rivet, has instilled the notion of team toughness in his young mates, and right now he looks like a brilliant choice as C.

Lines:

The Sabres are cut through the middle right now. As always, Tim Connolly, is out of the lineup. In my opinion, he should be waived. Paul Gaustad and Jochen Hecht are out as well. Hecht broke a finger in the 7 – 1 win over the Isles, and he had surgery to repair it yesterday. The lines will look like this:

Vanek – Roy – Stafford

Right now Thomas Vanek is actually earning the huge contract he has. He has 3 goals in two games, and looks like a 50 goal scorer should look like. Finally is all I can say.

Paille – MacArthur – Pominville

The General will be filling in as the C for Hecht right now. It hurts, plain and simple. Jochen Hecht is an excellent two way player, and he is going to be missed. nothing against Clark MacArthur, but he’s a raw young player. he’ll have his work cut out for him going against the Scott Gomez’s of the world.

Kotalik – Mair – Afinogenov

This is where Buffalo has to exploit other teams. Forgetting Adam Mair for a moment, Al Kotalik and Max Afinogenov are much better than 3rd line players. Max had a bad year last year, but played hurt for a long time. I think they can do damage tonight.

Peters – Ellis – Kaleta

Matt Ellis dresses for his first game as a Sabre tonight. I know nothing about him. At any rate, this is an agitator/goon line. Nothing else looked for here.

Predictions:

As far as I am concerned, Buffalo needs to call up Nate Gerbe from Portland right now. His talent is simply dripping out. The Sabres can use him will they heal from injuries. The Rags managed to beat the Sabres all four times last year. Let’s stop that nonsense right now.
Buffalo 3 Rangers 2

HELLO????? Anybody out there?