SabreCast #35: Rangers and Red Wings
Sunday, January 11th, 2009 1:29 pm by Mike
Despite only scoring two goals this weekend, the team managed to scrape out two points. The Sabres beat the New York Rangers 2-1 in the shootout on Friday, but lost to the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 on Saturday. In this episode of SabreCast, we discuss both games.
Ryan Miller stopped 88 of 92 shots and was the Sabres’ best player over the weekend. Derek Roy scored both of the Sabres’ goals and is on a 5 game point streak, in which he has scored 5 goals and 4 assists.
Get the Full Episode (MP3 24.7mb) – Running Time 53:39
New York Rangers
- Miller stopped 43 of 44 shots through three periods and overtime to take the Sabres to the shootout. In the shootout, he stopped all three Ranger attempts, who’s record in the shootout dropped to 8-2.
- The Sabres’ lone goal was scored by Derek Roy (15), who continued his point streak to 4 games. Stafford and Vanek had the assists.
- Tim Connolly returned to the lineup and played in most situations and was juggled across several lines. Connolly didn’t have a point.
- With the Sabres’ top six defensemen healthy, Chris Butler was a healthy scratch, but not sent back down to Portland. Max Afinogenov was put on injured reserve to make room for him on the roster.
- Ales Kotalik scored the Sabres’ lone shootout goal and improved his record to 4-2.
Predictions
- Matt’s Prediction: 4-3 W (Vanek, MacArthur, Hecht)
- Mike’s Prediction: 5-2 W (Vanek, MacArthur, Spacek)
- Prediction Game Results
Three Stars
- Matt’s Three Stars: Miller, Roy, Kotalik
- Mike’s Three Stars: Miller, Roy, Kotalik
- SabreCast Three Stars
Detroit Red Wings
- Ryan Miller played another fantastic game, stopping 45 of 48 shots on goal.
- Derek Roy scored the Sabres’ lone goal (16) for the second consecutive game. Vanek and Stafford had the assists.
- The Sabres kept the one goal lead for over a period, until Huddler scored late in the second period. Despite being outplayed, the Sabres continued to hang onto the tie for another full period, until Samuelsson scored, giving the Red Wings in the win. Hossa scored a minute later to seal the deal.
- Chris Butler returned to the lineup and played instead of a healthy Henrik Tallinder.
Predictions
- Matt’s Prediction: 4-3 L (Vanek, Connolly, Ellis)
- Mike’s Prediction: 4-3 W (Stafford, Pominville, Rivet)
- Prediction Game Results
Three Stars
- Matt’s Three Stars: Samuelsson, Miller, Conklin
- Mike’s Three Stars: Miller, Samuelsson, Conklin
- SabreCast Three Stars