Jan 14 2009
Sabres Pay Buffalo Native a Visit
The Sabres head to Chicago tonight to play the Blackhawks. The puck drop is set for 8:30 tonight and marks the first and only meeting this season between the two teams. Buffalo native Patrick Kane will host hometown team as a child tonight who leads his team with 42 points through 38 games. Chicago has a very offensive squad having the 4th most goals for in the league. They also are 4th place in their conference with a 23-10-7 record. Much of their success has come at home as they boast one of the better home records going 13-2-4 at the United Center. Buffalo will need to stop the likes of Chicago’s superstars to win tonight. This team runs deep with talent and everyone on the Chicago roster contributes when needed, hence their success. Ryan Miller will also have to continue his excellent play as of late. I predict this game to be fairly close as long as Buffalo skates. If you can keep up with Chicago for the entire game then it is guaranteed to be a great finish, otherwise they can run all over you. On a side note, Lindy Ruff let out his emotion in practice the other day after he felt the forwards were being too lax and carefree during a drill. He voiced his opinion in some profanity that will hopefully get through to the players so they play good tonight.
I’ll take this time to mention that I played against Pat Kane as a kid. Our birth dates are separated by exactly a day and it is entirely possible that we were both in the same hospital during that time period. However, I remember the first time we played him, everyone was so scared to play against him and he did not disappoint. He was able to skate like no one we had ever seen, carrying the puck, shooting high (for a 10 year old that was impressive at the time) and just being able to control the play. I believe he scored 10 goals against us that day and I will never forget it. I knew then that he was going to be something special and now look, he is starting the All Star game in Montreal. I think it’s pretty cool that I have played against such an elite player when I was younger and will remember that experience forever. I wish him the best of luck and hope he has a great career.
-Sabs Hockey Nut
