OMG we’re playing Buffalo again!!@!1

By Joe Bechtel
for 2ManAdvantage.com

Published: January 12, 2008

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Boy is this getting to be redundant! Winning, however, isn’t. Good thing, too, because that seems to be all the Devils have done this year whenever they square off against their logo-confused conference rivals.

That's RIGHT. The Sabres had the misfortune of playing the first two against New Jersey at The Rock – a building the Devils have really made their own – posting a bowel-loosening 10-1-0 record in their last eleven home games. The first of the two games saw Buffalo take a 1-0 lead, and the Devils fighting back late in the contest to tie. The latter of the two games was a bit of a role reversal, with the Devils jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, and Buffalo tying the game in the waning minutes of the contest. One thing that was a constant: the Devils adding to the “W” column via the shootout both times.

Don’t get too certain, though, as the scene shifts a little more north tonight – HSBC Arena to be exact. The Devils will make their first trip to Buffalo since the closing months of the 2006-2007 campaign.

Someone needs a couple of these! For the Sabres, Ryan Miller will return to the net after handing the workload to backup Jocelyn Thibault, resulting in a 3-2 loss at Ottawa to put the Sabres free-fall at eight straight losses. Buffalo has never lost nine consecutive games in the history of the franchise. Although not as bad as the Hurricanes, the injury bug has built a nest among the Sabres roster. Max Afinogenov (groin), Derek Roy (shoulder), and Tim Connolly (groin) are not expected to play. Jaroslav Spacek left Thursday’s contest at Ottawa in the 2nd period with back spasms and his status is unknown for tonight.

Nothing has been reported on the status of the Devils lineup for tonight. It is expected that the Devils will once again dress the same lineup that has been used for the games in Boston and Carolina.

Well, although it’s a familiar team the Devils will be facing, the points are just as huge as ever with the Penguins hot on their tail for the Atlantic Division lead. Only one measly point separates the two teams and has for over a week now. The Penguins are in action tonight at Atlanta. Devils included, four of the five Atlantic Division teams will be in action, making tonight’s battle in Buffalo almost a must-win for the Devils.

The concept is simple: stay on top of your game, stay on top of the Atlantic.

2 Comments on "OMG we’re playing Buffalo again!!@!1"

John Fischer on Sat, 12th Jan 2008 11:35 pm

If you think the Devils have been destroying at the Rock, wait until next month. Of the 15 games that month, 11 of them are in NJ.

Playing all those away games in 2007 really does have it’s reward – a ton of home games in a crucial month.

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Josh Burnett on Sun, 13th Jan 2008 4:36 pm

Even more nice is that at first glance last year, this was the time that the boys would be making up for lost games early. It’s no longer that anymore…if they can play at home the way they have been, it’ll be putting distance between themselves and the rest of the Atlantic.

Who would have thought this team would be in position to really begin to distance themselves from the rest of the division in January and February? These next six weeks or so are going to go a loooong way in deciding where this team goes this year.

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OMG we’re playing Buffalo again!!@!1

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